City Comparison

Lexington vs Nampa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

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

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

The Verdict

11.4%

Lexington is 11.4% less expensive than Nampa overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lexington would need approximately $84,677 in Nampa to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
104
Nampa
Groceries
96
Lexington
105
Nampa
Utilities
91
Lexington
83
Nampa
Transportation
98
Lexington
113
Nampa
Healthcare
94
Lexington
102
Nampa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $84,677 in Nampa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $66,429 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs Nampa

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is lower Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $371,000. The $126,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington vs $499/month in Nampa. Lexington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Lexington and 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $332 in Nampa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lexington and 102 in Nampa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,648 in Lexington and $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 and $70,762 respectively. Nampa 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 $1,734/month in Nampa. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington is 11.4% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,677 in Nampa, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while Nampa's is 104 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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