Lexington KY vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 153,455 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 69.9% | 30.4% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 1.5% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $2,144,024 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 43.8% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 503 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2388 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Sunnyvale
12.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Sunnyvale
6.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 25.3 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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