Cost of Living in Lexington, KY
Updated November 2026 · Fayette County · Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area · population 323,725
Prices in Lexington are 6.8% below the US average (local index 93.2; the BEA index for the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is 92.9), with utilities the biggest saving at 74.6; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,402 a month and the median rent is $1,164.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Lexington's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, unchanged.
Lexington price index by category, US average = 100: All items 93.2, Housing (rents) 78.2, Goods 96.2, Utilities 74.6, Other services 96.9
It is the most expensive of the 6 Kentucky cities in our data. Cheaper than 80% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.5 | 91.6 | 92.1 | 91.3 | 92.5 | 92.9 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Lexington, KY
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $812 | $9,744 | 34% |
| Utilities | $223 | $2,676 | 9% |
| Food at home | $271 | $3,252 | 11% |
| Transportation | $594 | $7,128 | 25% |
| Health care | $341 | $4,092 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $161 | $1,932 | 7% |
| Total | $2,402 | $28,824 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Lexington, KY
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $998 | $11,976 | 25% |
| Utilities | $352 | $4,224 | 9% |
| Food at home | $501 | $6,012 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,176 | $14,112 | 30% |
| Health care | $631 | $7,572 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $318 | $3,816 | 8% |
| Total | $3,976 | $47,712 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Lexington, KY
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,270 | $15,240 | 26% |
| Utilities | $429 | $5,148 | 9% |
| Food at home | $715 | $8,580 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,565 | $18,780 | 31% |
| Health care | $588 | $7,056 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $409 | $4,908 | 8% |
| Total | $4,976 | $59,712 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Lexington
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $836 |
| 1 bedroom | $959 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,178 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,499 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,651 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,164 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $986 |
| Median home value | $293,500 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,636/mo |
| Median household income | $69,479 |
| Rent as % of renter income Moderate | 29.9% |
| Home value ÷ household income Moderate | 4.2× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Kentucky
13.80¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +5.3% (from 13.10¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,102 kWh a month in Kentucky ≈ $154/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +45.0% (from $2.83) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Kentucky is covered by the Midwest (PADD 2) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Lexington are 6.8% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $64,400 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 93.2. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY | 65 mi | 92.9 | $2,346 | $1,120 |
| Covington, KY | 69 mi | 92.8 | $2,290 | $1,006 |
| Jeffersonville, IN | 70 mi | 93.2 | $2,335 | $1,148 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 76 mi | 92.8 | $2,355 | $1,001 |
| Hamilton, OH | 94 mi | 92.9 | $2,237 | $1,007 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC | 93.2 | $2,419 | $1,087 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 93.2 | $2,444 | $1,250 |
| Lafayette, IN | 93.2 | $2,383 | $1,079 |
| Moore, OK | 93.2 | $2,288 | $1,340 |
| Jeffersonville, IN | 93.2 | $2,335 | $1,148 |
| Roanoke, VA | 93.1 | $2,336 | $996 |
Compare Lexington with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Lexington, KY an expensive place to live?
Lexington has a local cost of living index of 93.2, which is 6.8% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area (92.9) and adjusts housing to Lexington's own rents. It is 3.0 points above the Kentucky average. It is the most expensive of the 6 Kentucky cities in our data. Cheaper than 80% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Lexington?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,402 for a single adult, $3,976 for a couple and $4,976 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $55,900 in Lexington.
What is the average rent in Lexington?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,164 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $959, 2 bedrooms $1,178, 3 bedrooms $1,499. The typical renter spends 29.9% of household income on rent (moderate).
How much does a house cost in Lexington?
The median owner-estimated home value is $293,500, 4.2 times the median household income of $69,479 (moderate). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,636 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Lexington?
Kentucky residential electricity averaged 13.80¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Lexington-Fayette, KY metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 92.9) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 2146027 (Lexington-Fayette urban county).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Kentucky residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Midwest (PADD 2), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources