Lexington KY vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 186,419 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 69.9% | 60.1% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 7.8% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.7% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 16.2% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $468,328 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 41.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tempe, 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
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tempe
7.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 71.3°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 23.2 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Tempe 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