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

New York

New York
166
VS

Lexington

Kentucky
82

New York is 102% more expensive than Lexington.

$1,779/mo ↑ 62%
Median Rent
$1,101/mo ↓ 38%
$79,713/yr ↑ 18%
Median Income
$67,631/yr ↓ 15%
$751,700 ↑ 176%
Home Value
$272,100 ↓ 64%
$1,837/mo ↑ 58%
Owner Costs
$1,160/mo ↓ 37%
8,516,202
Population
321,122

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Lexington, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $678/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $8,136/year.

Median household income is $12,082/year higher in New York. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $272,100 in Lexington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs Lexington — common questions

Is New York or Lexington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lexington is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Lexington?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Lexington it's $1,101/month — a difference of $678/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Lexington?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $67,631 in Lexington. Median household income is $12,082/year higher in New York.
How do taxes compare between New York and Kentucky?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Lexington?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/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 New York details → View Lexington details →

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