The average cost of living in Lexington, KY is $1,610.70 per month.
Lexington, known as the “Horse Capital of the World” with 400 horse farms, is Kentucky’s second-largest city after Louisville. Situated in the Bluegrass region, it’s home to Keeneland Racecourse, Kentucky Horse Park, and Red Mile Racecourse, which earned it the nickname. Lexington boasts a robust economy with Fortune 500 companies like Amazon and Toyota.
Moving to Kentucky means embracing its vibrant beer culture, with numerous breweries offering tastings at festivals and events. Lexington offers a well-rounded living environment, combining recreation, nature, commerce, and education. Its cost of living aligns with the national average, making it exceptionally affordable for a city of its size and economic vitality.
Methodology
The main data collection source for this article is Numbeo and trusted city-related websites, including Lextran and City of Lexington, KY. The costs presented are estimates and pertain to an individual living alone on a monthly basis.
Cost of Living in Lexington, KY – 2024
Housing costs in Lexington, KY
Cost of rent in Lexington, KY, CA
|
Area/Neighborhood |
1-bed apartment |
3-bed apartment |
|
Lexington, KY (Outside of Center) |
$936.67 |
$2,100.00 |
Cost of buying a property in Lexington, KY
|
Area/Neighborhood |
Average home price |
|
Lexington, KY |
$288,909 |
Utility costs in Lexington, KY: Internet, electricity and water
Electricity costs in Lexington, KY, are like other cities in Kentucky. The primary electricity supplier is Kentucky Utility (KU), which is based in the city. The KU is owned by LG & E and KU Energy, which PPL Corporation owns. On average, electricity in Lexington typically costs $0.09 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Even though the cost of electricity is low, your bill is not solely based on how much electricity costs, but also on how much you consume.
In Lexington, KY, the average residential electricity rate is 30.64% below the national average of 11.88¢/kWh. Residential rates in the U.S. vary from 8.37¢/kWh to 37.34¢/kWh.
|
Utilities |
Cost |
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
$233.46 |
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
$66.62 |
|
Total |
$300.08 |
Electricity Local (Oct 2023) & Numbeo (Oct 2023)
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Grocery costs in Lexington, KY
Grocery costs in Lexington, KY, are lesser than the national average, which means you get to shop more for less in general. But of course, how much you spend is still dependent on your diet and family size. Nevertheless, shopping in Lexington doesn’t break the bank.
A single person in Lexington, KY may spend around $231.12 monthly on groceries.
|
Grocery items in Lexington, KY |
Cost |
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
$2.89 |
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
$2.72 |
|
Rice (white) (1 lb) |
$1.97 |
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
$2.69 |
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
$7.00 |
|
Chicken Filets (1 lb) |
$5.13 |
|
Beef Round (1 lb) |
$7.82 |
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$2.09 |
|
Banana (1 lb) |
$0.68 |
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.34 |
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
$1.66 |
|
Potato (1 lb) |
$1.05 |
|
Onion (1 lb) |
$1.18 |
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
$2.33 |
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
$12.00 |
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
$1.73 |
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
$3.50 |
Public transit in Lexington, KY
Lextran operates a fleet of buses that cover several routes throughout Lexington, including a University of Kentucky campus shuttle service and a door-to-door wheelchair transportation service with Red Cross Wheels. The mainline bus service typically runs from 5:30 a.m. until 12:30 a.m.
|
Type of fare |
Rate |
|
Single ticket |
$1.00 |
|
Daily pass |
$3.00 |
|
Monthly pass |
$30.00 |
Entertainment costs in Lexington, KY
Lexington offers everything from horseback riding to museums and shopping. Lexington is a vibrant city filled with southern charm, and there are plenty of things to do here to keep you entertained. However, entertainment costs in Lexington, KY, vary depending on what you choose to do and how much you are willing to splash out for a good time alone, with friends, or with family.
|
Entertainment in Lexington, KY |
Cost |
|
Mid-range restaurant meal |
$37.50 |
|
Taxi 1h |
$30.00 |
|
1 cinema ticket |
$12.00 |
|
Total |
$79.50 |
Sales tax in Lexington, KY
Lexington’s 6% sales tax is solely the Kentucky state sales tax, with no additional county, city, or special taxes applied.
City of Lexington, KY (Oct 2023)
Healthcare costs in Lexington, KY
Healthcare costs in Lexington, KY, are in accordance with the state’s policies. Medicare and Medicaid provide coverage to residents of Louisville and all of Kentucky state. As a result of the Obamacare or Affordable Care Act (ACA), the state expanded Medicaid coverage to include individuals and families whose incomes were close to the federal poverty guideline.
It also made healthcare more accessible to those with pre-existing health conditions. Typically, employers are required to contribute at least 50% of employee health insurance premiums. Residents can also get estimated quotes for healthcare on the Healthcare.gov website.
|
Type of healthcare |
Cost |
|
Employer-sponsored health insurance |
$215.00 |
|
Non-employer-sponsored health insurance (average cheapest) |
$449.75 |
|
Gym |
$33.33 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023), ValuePenguin (Oct 2023) & EHealthInsurance (Oct 2023)
Conclusion
Those who move to Kentucky, know why it’s a great place to call home. From its quality healthcare to its history, rich art, and culture to the friendly people, affordable housing, and scenic natural environments. Lexington is a beautiful city to experience southern hospitality.
It also has one of the most stable economies in the country, so finding a job is much easier. Its biggest industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail, and Education.
Are you planning to move to Lexington, KY, soon? Make your move easier by hiring one of the best moving companies in Lexington, KY. Save yourself from the hassle or all the heavy lifting and choose to move in comfort.
|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|---|---|
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$936.67 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($57.78 multiplied by 4) |
$231.12 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$233.46 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$66.62 |
|
Transit pass |
$30.00 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$79.50 |
|
Gym membership |
$33.33 |
|
Total |
$1,610.70 |
