salaryLexington-Fayette is the 2nd-largest city in Kentucky that we track, with 323,725 residents. Rent is lower than in 60% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $58,520 a year. That is $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Kentucky cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Kentucky. It is number 67 of 87 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Lexington-Fayette with other big cities
Compare Lexington-Fayette to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Lexington-Fayette?
Share of households by yearly income. 25.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lexington-Fayette
| Size | Lexington-Fayette | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $880 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,009 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,239 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,577 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,737 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lexington-Fayette overall?
Everyday prices in the Lexington-Fayette metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Lexington-Fayette
Life in Lexington-Fayette
What jobs pay in Lexington-Fayette
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | 12.9% |
| Software Developer | $123,510 | 14.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,070 | 14.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $112,230 | 15.6% |
| Lawyer | $111,040 | 15.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $103,090 | 17.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,500 | 18.4% |
| Operations Manager | $80,440 | 21.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,110 | 21.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $79,040 | 22.2% |
| Accountant | $77,780 | 22.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,280 | 26.9% |
| Plumber | $61,870 | 28.4% |
| Police Officer | $61,720 | 28.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,480 | 28.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,460 | 28.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,280 | 29.1% |
| Electrician | $57,320 | 30.6% |
| Truck Driver | $56,950 | 30.8% |
| Carpenter | $52,030 | 33.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,910 | 41.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $40,370 | 43.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,380 | 44.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,160 | 44.8% |
| Firefighter | $36,490 | 48.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,970 | 48.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,910 | 50.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,100 | 58.3% |
| Cashier | $29,590 | 59.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lexington-Fayette?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $573 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $293,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $29,350 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Renting in Lexington-Fayette costs a median of about $1,463 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Kentucky median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Lexington-Fayette?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $58,520 a year, or $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lexington-Fayette cheap or expensive?
Lexington-Fayette is rated OK: rent takes 23.4% of the typical household income of $74,933. It ranks 67th cheapest of 87 Kentucky cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lexington-Fayette?
The median homeowner in Lexington-Fayette pays $2,542 a year in property taxes, about 0.87% of the median home value.
Is Lexington-Fayette more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Lexington-Fayette?
The median home value in Lexington-Fayette is $293,500, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
323,725 people live in Lexington-Fayette. Numbers are typical (middle) values.