Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas
A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,070 in Lexington, KY versus $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Lexington, KY is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Memphis, TN, driven mainly by rent.
Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington, KY and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 24% higher in Lexington, KY. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.
Rent
Buying a Home
Income
People & Lifestyle
Crime (per 100k/yr)
FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.
Climate
Gas
Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).
Public Transit
Adult base one-way fare — — vs MATA (2026).
Utilities
Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Groceries
Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
State Taxes
Lexington vs Memphis — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Lexington or Memphis?
- Lexington, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Lexington than in Memphis?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lexington versus $38,000 in Memphis.
- Which has lower taxes, Lexington or Memphis?
- Lexington is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).