City Comparison

Lexington vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

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

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

17.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.7%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to $63,710 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
49
Montgomery
Groceries
96
Lexington
99
Montgomery
Utilities
91
Lexington
115
Montgomery
Transportation
98
Lexington
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
94
Lexington
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $63,710 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $88,291 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $162,000. The $83,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 91 in Lexington and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 94 in Lexington and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,648 in Lexington and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,298/month to housing in Lexington vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 17.7% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,710 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases