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Lexington-Fayette, KY

Cost of living in Lexington, Kentucky

Fayette County, KY

Part of the Lexington Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,945/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 321,122 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $982 33%
Healthcare $480 16%
Federal tax $472 16%
Transport $320 11%
Groceries $312 11%
Energy $194 7%
State tax $130 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Lexington

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$799
per month
1 bedroom
$982
per month
2 bedroom
$1,165
per month
3 bedroom
$1,583
per month
4 bedroom
$1,781
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Lexington

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$67,631
per year
Individual earnings
$38,947
per year
Per capita
$42,272
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Lexington

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$272,100
Annual property tax
$2,425

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Lexington

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$140
per month · 13.3¢/kWh
Natural gas
$54
per month
Annual total
$2,328
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Lexington

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.8%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Lexington

State and local tax rates for Kentucky.

State income tax
4.0%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Lexington

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
20.8 min
Drive alone
74.8%
Public transit
1.3%
Work from home
10.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Lexington

What it costs to live in Lexington each month.

Single person
$2,945
per month
  • Rent $982
  • Energy $194
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $312
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $472
  • State tax $130
Couple
$4,266
per month
  • Rent $1,165
  • Energy $233
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $517
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $777
  • State tax $225
Family
$6,805
per month
  • Rent $1,583
  • Energy $291
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $784
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $777
  • State tax $225

Frequently asked questions about Lexington

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Lexington?

In Lexington, Kentucky, a one-bedroom apartment averages $982 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,165 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,583 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Lexington?

In Lexington, Kentucky, the average household income is $67,631 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $38,947 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Lexington?

The estimated cost of living in Lexington, Kentucky is approximately $2,945 per month for a single person, $4,266 for a couple, $6,805 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Lexington?

The combined sales tax rate in Lexington, Kentucky is 6.00%, which includes the Kentucky state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.

Is Lexington an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Lexington, Kentucky would need approximately $2,945 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $67,631 per year ($5,636 per month). Lexington has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Lexington?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Lexington, Kentucky is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Lexington?

The average home value in Lexington, Kentucky is $272,100, with average annual property taxes of $2,425, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Lexington compare to other areas?

You can compare Lexington, Kentucky with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Lexington is in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area.

Other counties in Kentucky

Browse the full list of counties in Kentucky, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Kentucky

Compare Lexington with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources