Lexington KY
Kentucky · Pop. 323,725
Lexington, KY: median household income of $69,479, median rent of $1,164/mo, 4.9% unemployment. Our verdict: It Depends.
Score Breakdown
Key Metrics
Median Income
$69,479
per year
Median Rent
$1,164
per month
Median Home
$294k
home value
Unemployment
4.9%
of labor force
Poverty Rate
14.9%
below poverty line
Avg. Commute
21 min
one way
City Reality Check balanced
"Lexington, KY Reality Check"
In Lexington, the rent-to-income burden runs around 20% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $69,479 and median rent is $1,164/month. 47% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $293,500 — that's 4.2× the median income. 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — a highly educated workforce that drives (and inflates) this local economy. Employment picture: 4.85% unemployment — a healthy job market. Poverty rate: 14.9%. Average commute: 21 minutes — acceptable. Violent crime: 25.2/100k avg monthly rate (3943 reported); Property crime: 238.5/100k avg monthly rate (37256 reported). Lexington was founded in 1775 — that's 251 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 285.6 sq miles at 1,134 people/sq mile — sprawling. Elevation: 978 ft — modest elevation. RoastMyCity overall score: 68/100 — It Depends.
Local Context
Safety
/100Violent crime: 25.2/100k avg monthly rate (3943 reported); Property crime: 238.5/100k avg monthly rate (37256 reported).