City Comparison

Irving vs Lexington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

Lexington

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

The Verdict

7.5%

Living in Lexington costs 7.5% less than Irving. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Irving, you would need $69,750 in Lexington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Irving
82
Lexington
Groceries
99
Irving
96
Lexington
Utilities
111
Irving
91
Lexington
Transportation
97
Irving
98
Lexington
Healthcare
103
Irving
94
Lexington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $69,750 in Lexington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $80,645 in Irving.

Living in Irving vs Lexington

Housing Costs

Irving's housing index of 94 is higher Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $245,000. The $73,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,740 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 91 in Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving 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 103 in Irving and 94 in Lexington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $59,837 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,298/month in Lexington. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington is 7.5% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,750 in Lexington, based on the cost of living difference.
Irving's housing index is 94 with median homes at $318,000, while Lexington's is 82 with median homes at $245,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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