Lexington KY vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.6 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 69.9% | 51.8% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 15.9% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 44.6% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $376,530 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 50.2% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 324 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 73.4°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 46.3 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 26.8 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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