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Cost of Living in Lexington-Fayette, KY

Population 323,725 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,164
Median home value$293,500
Median household income$69,479

The median rent in Lexington-Fayette, KY is $1,164/month, 20% higher than the Kentucky median and 18% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $293,500, 12% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $69,479 a year, 9% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 20.1%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $46,560/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 4.2×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,484/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Lexington-Fayette vs. Kentucky vs. U.S.

Lexington-FayetteKentuckyU.S.
Median rent$1,164$967$1,413
Median home value$293,500$205,600$332,700
Median household income$69,479$63,726$80,734
Homeownership rate53.8%68.3%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher48.3%27.6%35.7%
Poverty rate14.9%16.1%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.9%4.9%5.2%
Work from home12.2%10.2%15.1%
Median age35.339.138.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

The median gross rent in Lexington-Fayette, KY is $1,164 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $46,560 a year in gross income.

Is Lexington-Fayette, KY expensive to live in?

Rent there is 18% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 4.2 times the median household income.

Other cities in Kentucky

Louisville/Jefferson County, KYRent $1,120 · Income $66,849Bowling Green, KYRent $998 · Income $48,873Owensboro, KYRent $905 · Income $56,357Covington, KYRent $1,006 · Income $61,166Georgetown, KYRent $1,255 · Income $80,088Richmond, KYRent $917 · Income $50,870

Cities with a similar cost of living

Madison Heights, MIRent $1,176 · Income $69,503West Springfield Town, MARent $1,144 · Income $69,371Greenfield, WIRent $1,170 · Income $70,459Sierra Vista, AZRent $1,150 · Income $70,291Torrington, CTRent $1,169 · Income $70,856Grand Junction, CORent $1,142 · Income $70,080

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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