Lexington KY vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 69.9% | 58.2% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.1% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $54,546 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $31,152 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.4% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 18.8% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 30.2% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 51.7% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tucson, 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
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 69.8°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 23.9 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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