Lexington KY vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 146,211 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 69.9% | 51.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $45,845 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $27,570 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.4% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 29.6% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 30.5% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 41.3% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 434 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1736 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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