City Comparison

Lexington vs Ocala

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

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

Ocala

Florida
87
Below Average
$241,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

The Verdict

6.9%

Ocala is 6.9% less expensive than Lexington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lexington would need approximately $70,161 in Ocala to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
72
Ocala
Groceries
96
Lexington
98
Ocala
Utilities
91
Lexington
90
Ocala
Transportation
98
Lexington
95
Ocala
Healthcare
94
Lexington
92
Ocala

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $70,161 in Ocala.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ocala equals $80,172 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs Ocala

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is higher Ocala's 72, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $241,000. The $4,000 difference in home prices means roughly $264 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,350/mo in Ocala, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 98 in Ocala. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington vs $466/month in Ocala. 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 90 in Ocala. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $360 in Ocala. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lexington and 92 in Ocala. 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 $56,400 in Ocala. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 and $64,828 respectively. Ocala 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 $1,316/month in Ocala. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Ocala, median rent of $1,350/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ocala is 6.9% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,161 in Ocala, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while Ocala's is 72 with median homes at $241,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases