Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Lexington, KY (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Lexington

Kentucky
82

Arlington is 16% more expensive than Lexington.

$1,389/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,101/mo ↓ 21%
$73,519/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$67,631/yr ↓ 8%
$276,400 ↑ 2%
Home Value
$272,100 ↓ 2%
$1,420/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,160/mo ↓ 18%
394,769
Population
321,122

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Lexington, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $288/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $3,456/year.

Median household income is $5,888/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $272,100 in Lexington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over Kentucky's 4.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Lexington — common questions

Is Arlington or Lexington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lexington is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 95 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Lexington?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Lexington it's $1,101/month — a difference of $288/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Lexington?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $67,631 in Lexington. Median household income is $5,888/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Kentucky?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Lexington?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Lexington has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,101/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Lexington details →

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