Cost of Living: Lexington, KY vs Sunnyvale, CA (2026)

Lexington

Kentucky
82
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

Lexington is 76% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$1,101/mo ↓ 64%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 178%
$67,631/yr ↓ 63%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 169%
$272,100 ↓ 85%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 568%
$1,160/mo ↓ 62%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 160%
321,122
Population
153,455

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lexington, KY and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,964/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $23,568/year.

Median household income is $114,231/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lexington is $272,100 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is Lexington or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lexington is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lexington and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in Lexington is $1,101/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $1,964/month.
Which city has higher income, Lexington or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $114,231/year higher in Sunnyvale.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and California?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Lexington or Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. Lexington has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,101/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Lexington details → View Sunnyvale details →

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