Cost of Living: Lexington, KY vs Allentown, PA (2026)

Lexington

Kentucky
82
VS

Allentown

Pennsylvania
79

Lexington is 4% more expensive than Allentown.

$1,101/mo ↓ 13%
Median Rent
$1,269/mo ↑ 15%
$67,631/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$53,403/yr ↓ 21%
$272,100 ↑ 44%
Home Value
$188,900 ↓ 31%
$1,160/mo ↓ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,243/mo ↑ 7%
321,122
Population
125,320

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
3.07%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.49%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lexington, KY and Allentown, PA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $168/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $2,016/year.

Median household income is $14,228/year higher in Lexington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lexington is $272,100 compared to $188,900 in Allentown.

Pennsylvania has a lower income tax rate, making Allentown slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington vs Allentown — common questions

Is Lexington or Allentown cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Allentown is cheaper to live in with an index of 79 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lexington and Allentown?
Median rent in Lexington is $1,101/month and in Allentown it's $1,269/month — a difference of $168/month.
Which city has higher income, Lexington or Allentown?
Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington and $53,403 in Allentown. Median household income is $14,228/year higher in Lexington.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Pennsylvania?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Pennsylvania has 3.07% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.49% property tax.
Should I move to Lexington or Allentown?
It depends on your priorities. Lexington has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,101/mo, while Allentown has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,269/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Lexington details → View Allentown details →

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