CostIndexUSA

Dallas, TX vs Lexington, KY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Dallas
103.1
overall index
$1,625/mo rent
More AffordableKY
Lexington
92.9
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Lexington is moderately cheaper than Dallas — 9.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dallas, you would need $72,100 in Lexington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing34.6%
Dallas
117.9
Lexington
77.1
🛒 Groceries6.4%
Dallas
102.8
Lexington
96.2
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Dallas
104.7
Lexington
101.7
🏥 Healthcare2.9%
Dallas
94.7
Lexington
92
Utilities17.8%
Dallas
90.7
Lexington
74.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Dallas to see what you'd need to earn in Lexington to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Lexington, KY
$72,100
$7,900 less needed in Lexington

Formula: salary × (92.9 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 0.9011. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Dallas, TX

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Lexington, KY

Median Home Price
$313,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
77.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4×

Dallas has 34.6% lower housing costs compared to Lexington.

Income & Job Market

Dallas, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
1,304,379
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyHealthcareTelecommunicationsReal Estate

Lexington, KY

Median Household Income
$70,000
Per Capita Income
$39,900
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
322,570
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingAgricultureGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Dallas, TX
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Lexington, KY
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.