Lexington KY vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 149,519 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 41.6 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 6.8% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 14.4% | 4.8% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.6% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $39,604 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 31.0% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $422,520 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 450 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2150 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Surprise
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 32.8 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Lexington, KY vs New York, NYLexington, KY vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lexington, KYHouston, TX vs Lexington, KYLexington, KY vs Phoenix, AZLexington, KY vs Philadelphia, PA