Lexington KY vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 250,887 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.6 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 10.7% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 48.7% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.3% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $57,673 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $35,074 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 17.9% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 37.2% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $419,326 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 398 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1999 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 63.8°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 58.4 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 23.2 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, 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 398 in Wilmington. 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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