Cost of Living: Lexington, KY vs Rochester, NY (2026)

Lexington

Kentucky
82
VS

Rochester

New York
61

Lexington is 34% more expensive than Rochester.

$1,101/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$1,039/mo ↓ 6%
$67,631/yr ↑ 45%
Median Income
$46,628/yr ↓ 31%
$272,100 ↑ 126%
Home Value
$120,600 ↓ 56%
$1,160/mo ↑ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,009/mo ↓ 13%
321,122
Population
209,720

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
10.9%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lexington, KY and Rochester, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $62/month cheaper in Rochester, saving renters about $744/year.

Median household income is $21,003/year higher in Lexington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lexington is $272,100 compared to $120,600 in Rochester.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington vs Rochester — common questions

Is Lexington or Rochester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rochester is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lexington and Rochester?
Median rent in Lexington is $1,101/month and in Rochester it's $1,039/month — a difference of $62/month.
Which city has higher income, Lexington or Rochester?
Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington and $46,628 in Rochester. Median household income is $21,003/year higher in Lexington.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and New York?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Lexington or Rochester?
It depends on your priorities. Lexington has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,101/mo, while Rochester has a cost index of 61 with rent of $1,039/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Lexington details → View Rochester details →

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