Lexington KY vs Springfield IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 113,714 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 40.7 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 4.5% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 14.4% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.9% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 3.4% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $65,537 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $41,110 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.7% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 16.5% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 35.1% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 344 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1842 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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