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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Lexington

Kentucky
82

Austin is 63% more expensive than Lexington.

$1,655/mo ↑ 50%
Median Rent
$1,101/mo ↓ 33%
$91,461/yr ↑ 35%
Median Income
$67,631/yr ↓ 26%
$512,700 ↑ 88%
Home Value
$272,100 ↓ 47%
$1,747/mo ↑ 51%
Owner Costs
$1,160/mo ↓ 34%
967,862
Population
321,122

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Lexington, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $554/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $6,648/year.

Median household income is $23,830/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $272,100 in Lexington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Lexington — common questions

Is Austin or Lexington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lexington is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Lexington?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Lexington it's $1,101/month — a difference of $554/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Lexington?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $67,631 in Lexington. Median household income is $23,830/year higher in Austin.
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 Austin or Lexington?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/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 Austin details → View Lexington details →

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