Lexington KY vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Toledo
268,461
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Toledo
58.7%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 268,461 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.7 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 3.4% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 58.7% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.4% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 8.9% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Toledo
$58,300
Toledo +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $47,532 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $27,407 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $58,300 | Toledo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.5% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 24.5% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 21.0% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 52.7% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Toledo
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 319 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1866 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Toledo
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Toledo. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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