Lexington, Kentucky
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Lexington, KY.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Lexington, KY?
For relocators asking how much Lexington costs: the housing index sits at 86 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $272,100 and rents near $1,101. Local median income is about $67,631 and unemployment recently ran 4.3% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 20 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 296.6 per 100k (catalog avg 559.5).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 86U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $272,100U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,101U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $67,631U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.3%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 296.6per 100k · catalog avg 559.5
- Summer high
- 86°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Lexington compares with a U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals) or a MapsToIt catalog average (crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 329,437City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $67,631Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year14% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 86ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year14% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $272,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year10% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,101City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year18% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026Near U.S. rate (4.2%)U.S. 4.2% - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below catalog avgCatalog avg 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3424% below catalog avgCatalog avg 45
- Violent crime rate
- 296.6per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)47% below catalog avgCatalog avg 559.5 - Property crime rate
- 2998.1per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)Near catalog avg (3005.3)Catalog avg 3005.3 - Summer high
- 86°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear catalog avg (87°F)Catalog avg 87°F
- Winter low
- 28°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals7.0 pts below catalog avgCatalog avg 35°F
- Annual rainfall
- 49.8 inAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals50% above catalog avgCatalog avg 33.2 in
- Sunny days
- 231As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals14% below catalog avgCatalog avg 268
Population trend
Lexington grew 11.0% from 296,848 in 2010 to 329,437 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Lexington, KY expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Lexington's housing cost index is 86 versus 100 nationally — below the U.S. housing-cost baseline. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($272,100 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,101 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 86 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $272,100 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,101 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Lexington, KY?
Typical ownership costs center near $272,100, while median gross rent is about $1,101 a month. Against a median household income of $67,631, rent alone is roughly 20% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $272,100
- Median rent $1,101/month
- Median household income $67,631
What is the job market like in Lexington, KY?
County unemployment recently ran 4.3% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Lexington is about $67,631 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 4.3% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $67,631
How long is the typical commute in Lexington, KY?
Average one-way commute time is about 20 minutes, with Walk Score near 34/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 34/100
Is Lexington, KY safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 296.6 per 100k and property about 2998.1 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 559.5 and 3005.3. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 296.6 per 100k
- Property 2998.1 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Lexington, KY?
Normals show summer highs near 86°F, winter lows near 28°F, about 49.8 inches of rain, and roughly 231 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 86°F
- Winter low 28°F
- 49.8 in rain · 231 sunny days
Lexington, Kentucky counts about 329,437 residents inside the city limits. Households here report a median income near $67,631; our housing-derived cost index is about 86 (below the national housing-cost baseline). A typical home near $272,100 and rents around $1,101 frame most shortlists.
Ohio River valleys and rolling horse-country hills create distinct micro-markets. Pack for 86°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 28°F. Commutes average near 20 minutes one-way, with walkability near 34/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.3% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates around 296.6 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Lexington is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI crime figures, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Lexington with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Lexington-Fayette urban county, 1600000US2146027) — As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Fayette County, July 2026 — As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019), city offenses per 100k — As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00093820 LEXINGTON BLUEGRASS AP) — As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-10-19