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

Dallas

Texas
97
VS

Lexington

Kentucky
82

Dallas is 18% more expensive than Lexington.

$1,403/mo ↑ 27%
Median Rent
$1,101/mo ↓ 22%
$67,760/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$67,631/yr ≈ Same
$295,300 ↑ 9%
Home Value
$272,100 ↓ 8%
$1,409/mo ↑ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,160/mo ↓ 18%
1,299,553
Population
321,122

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Dallas, TX and Lexington, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $302/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $3,624/year.

Median household income is $129/year higher in Dallas. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Dallas is $295,300 compared to $272,100 in Lexington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas vs Lexington — common questions

Is Dallas or Lexington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lexington is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 97 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Dallas and Lexington?
Median rent in Dallas is $1,403/month and in Lexington it's $1,101/month — a difference of $302/month.
Which city has higher income, Dallas or Lexington?
Median household income is $67,760 in Dallas and $67,631 in Lexington. Median household income is $129/year higher in Dallas.
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 Dallas or Lexington?
It depends on your priorities. Dallas has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,403/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 Dallas details → View Lexington details →

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