Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Lexington, KY (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Lexington

Kentucky
82

Nashville is 34% more expensive than Lexington.

$1,486/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,101/mo ↓ 26%
$75,197/yr ↑ 11%
Median Income
$67,631/yr ↓ 10%
$383,100 ↑ 41%
Home Value
$272,100 ↓ 29%
$1,471/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,160/mo ↓ 21%
684,298
Population
321,122

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.0%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Lexington, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $385/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $4,620/year.

Median household income is $7,566/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $272,100 in Lexington.

Tennessee has no state income tax, giving Nashville residents a significant tax advantage over Kentucky's 4.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Lexington — common questions

Is Nashville or Lexington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lexington is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Lexington?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Lexington it's $1,101/month — a difference of $385/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Lexington?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $67,631 in Lexington. Median household income is $7,566/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Kentucky?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Lexington?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Lexington has a cost index of 82 with rent of $1,101/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Lexington details →

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