Cost of Living: Tampa, FL vs Lexington, KY (2026)

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Lexington

Kentucky
82

Tampa is 38% more expensive than Lexington.

$1,567/mo ↑ 42%
Median Rent
$1,101/mo ↓ 30%
$71,302/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$67,631/yr ↓ 5%
$375,300 ↑ 38%
Home Value
$272,100 ↓ 27%
$1,553/mo ↑ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,160/mo ↓ 25%
393,389
Population
321,122

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Lexington, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 82 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $466/month cheaper in Lexington, saving renters about $5,592/year.

Median household income is $3,671/year higher in Tampa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $272,100 in Lexington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Lexington — common questions

Is Tampa or Lexington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lexington is cheaper to live in with an index of 82 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Lexington?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Lexington it's $1,101/month — a difference of $466/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Lexington?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $67,631 in Lexington. Median household income is $3,671/year higher in Tampa.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Kentucky?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Tampa or Lexington?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/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.
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