City Comparison

Dublin vs Lexington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dublin

Ireland
104
Average
$470,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$56,000
Median Income

Lexington

Kentucky
93
Below Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,648
Median Income

The Verdict

11.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 11.8%, with Lexington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to $67,067 in Lexington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
128
Dublin
82
Lexington
Groceries
95
Dublin
96
Lexington
Utilities
110
Dublin
91
Lexington
Transportation
108
Dublin
98
Lexington
Healthcare
82
Dublin
94
Lexington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $67,067 in Lexington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $83,871 in Dublin.

Living in Dublin vs Lexington

Housing Costs

Dublin's housing index of 128 is higher Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $245,000. The $225,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,628 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $925.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin vs $456/month in Lexington. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Dublin and 91 in Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $364 in Lexington. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 82 in Dublin and 94 in Lexington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,000 in Dublin and $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 and $59,837 respectively. Lexington residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,307/month to housing in Dublin vs $1,298/month in Lexington. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington is 11.8% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,067 in Lexington, based on the cost of living difference.
Dublin's housing index is 128 with median homes at $470,000, while Lexington's is 82 with median homes at $245,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases