Lexington KY vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Utica
9.7%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Utica
64.8%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 51,054 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 9.7% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 64.8% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $57,688 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $35,780 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 9.4% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 23.8% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 36.8% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 36.8% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Utica
1736
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 434 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1736 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 22.7 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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