Hagerstown-Martinsburg and Lexington-Fayette receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Hagerstown-Martinsburg | Lexington-Fayette | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 302,649 | 522,560 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $78,802 | $71,966 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,827 | $42,479 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 300/sq mi | 355/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $278,100 | $281,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,159 | $1,138 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.8% | 59.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 4.8% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.3% | -0.9% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 42.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 13.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,686 | 2,436 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 5.6 | 4.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 2.1% | 10.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 87°F | 87°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 24°F | 25°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 39.0" | 49.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 50 mi | 67 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 31.8 min | 23.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.2 | 36.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Hagerstown-Martinsburg
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Lexington-Fayette
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Metro Area · Lexington-Fayette, KY Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology