Lexington KY vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 293,109 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.6 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 6.6% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 45.7% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.4% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 5.1% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $55,279 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $38,947 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.1% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 19.8% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 40.2% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 45.4% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Lexington, KY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 501 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2418 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | St. Louis, MO | 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
Lexington +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 24.0 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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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