Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Jacksonville and Lexington have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Florida salaries · Kentucky salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Jacksonville has a housing index of 89 while Lexington sits at 82 (national average = 100). The median home in Jacksonville costs $280,000 compared to $245,000 in Lexington, a difference of $35,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Jacksonville versus $1,200 in Lexington.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Jacksonville scores 101 while Lexington scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Jacksonville (95) are higher than Lexington (94). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Jacksonville is $53,025 compared to $55,648 in Lexington. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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