Lexington vs Louisville/Jefferson County: Data Analyst Salary (2026)
Compare data analyst salaries between Lexington, KY and Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $56,476 | $66,854▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $27.14 | $32.14▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,385 | $42,862▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $48,512 | $53,059▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $70,999 | $86,513▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $93,193 | $109,735▲ |
| Total Employed | 230 | 650▲ |
Verdict
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lexington.
The salary gap between Lexington and Louisville/Jefferson County is $10,378 (18.38%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is -16.84% compared to the US national median of $80,394.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lexington spans $51,808,Louisville/Jefferson County spans $66,873. Louisville/Jefferson County has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced data analysts.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($71,829 effective) pays 18.14% more than Lexington ($60,799 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Lexington if…
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($66,854/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($109,735)
- ✓Larger job market (650 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,829)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Lexington grew -26.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -15.5% growth in Louisville/Jefferson County over the same period.
Lexington, KY
$73,580 (2021) → $54,054 (2025)
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$75,680 (2021) → $63,987 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Lexington, KY
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays data analysts more: Lexington or Louisville/Jefferson County?
What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington and Louisville/Jefferson County?
Should I relocate from Lexington to Louisville/Jefferson County as a data analyst?
What do entry-level data analysts earn in Lexington vs Louisville/Jefferson County?
Written by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience in data analysis. She specializes in business intelligence and works at a tech consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.48% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst, a licensed data analyst with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov