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City guide · Kentucky

Moving to Lexington, KY

Horse capital, UK Wildcats, manageable cost.

Pop. 323kCost index 92.0 · 100 = US avgMedian rent $1,200/moMedian home $280kWalk score 35

Lexington (metro area) has an overall price level 92.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
92.0
Housing index
64.3
Groceries index (modeled)
98.0
Utilities index (modeled)
98.8
Electricity rate
14.9 ¢/kWh
Transportation index (modeled)
98.4
Median home value (est.)
$280,000
Median monthly rent (est.)
$1,200/mo

Sources: BLS LAUS 2026-04 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

Kentucky unemployment is 4.3% with median household income $65k.

Unemployment rate
4.3%
Median household income
$64,526
Per-capita income
$35,955
Labor-force participation
60.2%
Right-to-work state
Yes
Nurse Licensure Compact
Member

Sources: FEMA NRI 2025 · Census ACS 2024 (live) city-level

Lexington: median home value $280,000.

Home value
$280,000
Rent
$1,200/mo
Homeownership rate
68.0%
Natural-hazard risk (FEMA county avg)
44/100
Hurricane exposure
Low
Wildfire exposure
Low
Tornado risk
Low
Earthquake risk
Elevated

Kentucky 4th-grade math proficiency: 38.4% at/above NAEP proficient.

4th-grade math proficiency
38.4%
Per-pupil spending
$12,123
Student–teacher ratio (est.)
16
Public 4-yr grad rate
54.0%
Notable universities
Public flagship + regional schools

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