Cost of Living: Lexington, KY vs Madison, WI (2026)

Lexington

Kentucky
82
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

Lexington is 20% cheaper than Madison.

$1,101/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↑ 24%
$67,631/yr ↓ 12%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↑ 14%
$272,100 ↓ 22%
Home Value
$346,900 ↑ 27%
$1,160/mo ↓ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ↑ 27%
321,122
Population
275,568

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
7.65%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lexington, KY and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $263/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $3,156/year.

Median household income is $9,352/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lexington is $272,100 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

Kentucky has a lower income tax rate, making Lexington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington vs Madison — common questions

Is Lexington or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lexington is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 103 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lexington and Madison?
Median rent in Lexington is $1,101/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $263/month.
Which city has higher income, Lexington or Madison?
Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $9,352/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Wisconsin?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to Lexington or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. Lexington has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,101/mo, while Madison has a cost index of 103 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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