salaryRent is lower than in 75% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $48,840 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of North Carolina. It is number 54 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Lexington?
Share of households by yearly income. 7.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lexington
| Size | Lexington | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $883 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $859 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $852 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,215 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,841 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lexington overall?
Everyday prices in North Carolina overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Lexington, so the North Carolina figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Lexington
Life in Lexington
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lexington?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $27 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $179,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $17,990 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lexington, NC?
Renting in Lexington costs a median of about $1,221 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Lexington?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $48,840 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lexington cheap or expensive?
Lexington is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.5% of the typical household income of $46,514. It ranks 54th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lexington?
The median homeowner in Lexington pays $1,400 a year in property taxes, about 0.78% of the median home value.
Is Lexington more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in North Carolina are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Lexington?
The median home value in Lexington is $179,900, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
19,690 people live in Lexington. Numbers are typical (middle) values.