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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Lexington

Kentucky
82

San Jose is 210% more expensive than Lexington.

$2,617/mo ↑ 138%
Median Rent
$1,101/mo ↓ 58%
$141,565/yr ↑ 109%
Median Income
$67,631/yr ↓ 52%
$1,187,800 ↑ 337%
Home Value
$272,100 ↓ 77%
$2,775/mo ↑ 139%
Owner Costs
$1,160/mo ↓ 58%
990,054
Population
321,122

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Lexington, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,516/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $18,192/year.

Median household income is $73,934/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $272,100 in Lexington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Lexington — common questions

Is San Jose or Lexington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lexington is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Lexington?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Lexington it's $1,101/month — a difference of $1,516/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Lexington?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $67,631 in Lexington. Median household income is $73,934/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Kentucky?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Lexington?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 San Jose details → View Lexington details →

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