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

Lexington

Kentucky
82
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Lexington is 39% more expensive than Syracuse.

$1,101/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 9%
$67,631/yr ↑ 48%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 32%
$272,100 ↑ 118%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 54%
$1,160/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 16%
321,122
Population
146,211

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lexington, KY and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $103/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $1,236/year.

Median household income is $21,786/year higher in Lexington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lexington is $272,100 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Lexington or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lexington and Syracuse?
Median rent in Lexington is $1,101/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $103/month.
Which city has higher income, Lexington or Syracuse?
Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $21,786/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 Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Lexington has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,101/mo, while Syracuse has a cost index of 59 with rent of $998/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Lexington details → View Syracuse details →

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