Cost of Living: Lexington, KY vs Palm Bay, FL (2026)

Lexington

Kentucky
82
VS

Palm Bay

Florida
91

Lexington is 10% cheaper than Palm Bay.

$1,101/mo ↓ 26%
Median Rent
$1,487/mo ↑ 35%
$67,631/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$67,521/yr ≈ Same
$272,100 ↑ 10%
Home Value
$248,000 ↓ 9%
$1,160/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,203/mo ↑ 4%
321,122
Population
125,273

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lexington, KY and Palm Bay, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $386/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $4,632/year.

Median household income is $110/year higher in Lexington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lexington is $272,100 compared to $248,000 in Palm Bay.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Palm Bay residents a significant tax advantage over Kentucky's 4.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington vs Palm Bay — common questions

Is Lexington or Palm Bay cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lexington is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lexington and Palm Bay?
Median rent in Lexington is $1,101/month and in Palm Bay it's $1,487/month — a difference of $386/month.
Which city has higher income, Lexington or Palm Bay?
Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington and $67,521 in Palm Bay. Median household income is $110/year higher in Lexington.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Florida?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Lexington or Palm Bay?
It depends on your priorities. Lexington has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,101/mo, while Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,487/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Lexington details → View Palm Bay details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Lexington and Palm Bay

Lexington vs. Henderson Lexington vs. Stockton Lexington vs. Anaheim Lexington vs. Corpus Christi Lexington vs. Honolulu Lexington vs. Riverside Palm Bay vs. Allentown Palm Bay vs. Meridian Palm Bay vs. Thousand Oaks Palm Bay vs. Vallejo Palm Bay vs. Simi Valley Palm Bay vs. Round Rock