Is Lexington expensive to live in?

Lexington is around the middle of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $887 per month ranks #83 of 112 and is 18% lower than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Lexington?

Average rent in Lexington, KY runs a studio around $769, a one-bedroom around $887, a two-bedroom around $1,119, a three-bedroom around $1,408 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Lexington?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $887 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year. The median household income here is $67,631.

How much does it cost to live in Lexington per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Lexington is about $1,070 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Lexington, KY

Population 321,122 · Kentucky

~$1,070/mo est.1BR $887Home $272,100

Photo: Cristina Anne Costello / Unsplash

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The cost of living in Lexington, KY is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $887 a month — 18% lower than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $769 and two-bedrooms $1,119.

Median household income here is $67,631, about the same as the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,070 before food and transport. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $887

Studio

$769

1 Bedroom

$887

2 Bedroom

$1,119

3 Bedroom

$1,408

Buying a Home$272,100

Median Home Value

$272,100

Income$67,631

Median Household Income

$67,631

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,620

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.00

Bread (lb)

$1.75

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities15.0¢/kWh

Electricity

15.0¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$29.48/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (KY)6% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 3.50%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime269.1 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

269.1

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,304.4

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Lexington Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.2 yrs

Median Age

35.2 yrs

Homeownership

53.6%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

47.3%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Climate55.6°F

Avg Annual Temperature

55.6°F

Annual Precipitation

45.2 in

Lexington cost of living — FAQ

Is Lexington expensive to live in?: Lexington is around the middle of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $887 per month ranks #83 of 112 and is 18% lower than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Lexington?: Average rent in Lexington, KY runs a studio around $769, a one-bedroom around $887, a two-bedroom around $1,119, a three-bedroom around $1,408 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Lexington?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $887 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year. The median household income here is $67,631.
How much does it cost to live in Lexington per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Lexington is about $1,070 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Lexington with nearby cities

Lexington vs Louisville Lexington vs Cincinnati Lexington vs Bowling Green Lexington vs Indianapolis Lexington vs Columbus Lexington vs Charleston

Nearby cities

Louisville, KY 70 mi Cincinnati, OH 73 mi Bowling Green, KY 131 mi Indianapolis, IN 149 mi Columbus, OH 155 mi Charleston, WV 157 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.