Lexington KY vs Springfield MA — 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 154,751 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 10.2% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 40.8% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.8% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $51,339 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $27,054 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.2% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 25.3% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 19.7% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 49.5% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 326 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
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
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 22.6 min | Lexington + |
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 $298,985. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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