Lexington KY vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 199,696 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 8.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 50.7% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.0% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 8.6% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $55,931 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $35,704 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.5% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 23.2% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 39.5% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 324 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tallahassee
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 67.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 58.1 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tallahassee. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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