Is it cheaper to live in Lexington or Tacoma?

Lexington, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lexington versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Lexington or Tacoma?

Lexington is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Lexington vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Lexington

Kentucky

$1,070/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,070 in Lexington, KY versus $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Lexington, KY is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington, KY and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 19% higher in Tacoma, WA. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Lexington, KY

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$769

$1,178

+53% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$887

$1,332

+50% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,119

$1,693

+51% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,408

$2,094

+49% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$272,100

$454,600

+67% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$67,631

$83,857

+24% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,620

$72,610

+49% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

37.3 yr

+2.1 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

53.6%

56.5%

+2.9 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

47.3%

33.5%

+13.8 pp in Lexington, KY

Avg Commute

20.8 min

29.0 min

+8.2 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.1

1,064.4

+296% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

2,304.4

5,695.2

+147% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+3.5°F in Lexington, KY

Annual Precipitation

45.2 in

43.0 in

+2.1 in in Lexington, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

14.9

+0% in Lexington, KY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.48

$20.41

+31% in Lexington, KY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Lexington, KY

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (KY / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.50%

None

+3.5 pp in KY

Lexington vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lexington or Tacoma?: Lexington, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lexington than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lexington versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Lexington or Tacoma?: Lexington is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).