Is it cheaper to live in Lexington or Meridian?

Lexington, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Lexington than in Meridian?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lexington versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Lexington or Meridian?

Lexington is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Lexington vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Lexington

Kentucky

$1,080/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,080 in Lexington, KY versus $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Lexington, KY is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington, KY and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 31% higher in Meridian, ID. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Lexington, KY

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$769

$1,523

+98% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$887

$1,540

+74% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,119

$1,489

+33% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,408

$1,893

+34% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$272,100

$485,000

+78% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$67,631

$98,686

+46% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,620

$49,100

+1% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

37.4 yr

+2.2 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

53.6%

76.1%

+22.5 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

47.3%

44.4%

+2.9 pp in Lexington, KY

Avg Commute

20.8 min

22.3 min

+1.5 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.1

150.3

+44% in Lexington, KY

Property Crime

2,304.4

583.5

+75% in Lexington, KY

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

55.6°F

52.5°F

+3.1°F in Lexington, KY

Annual Precipitation

45.2 in

11.7 in

+33.4 in in Lexington, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Meridian, ID

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.3

14.4

+1% in Meridian, ID

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.20

$11.33

+66% in Lexington, KY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Lexington, KY

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Meridian, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KY / ID)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.50%

5.30%

+1.8 pp in ID

Lexington vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lexington or Meridian?: Lexington, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lexington than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lexington versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Lexington or Meridian?: Lexington is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).