Lexington vs Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lexington
Salem
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.6%, with Lexington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to $83,871 in Salem.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $83,871 in Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Salem equals $67,067 in Lexington.
Living in Lexington vs Salem
Housing Costs
Lexington's housing index of 82 is lower Salem's 118, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $400,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,275/mo in Salem, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 100 in Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington vs $475/month in Salem. 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 97 in Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $388 in Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lexington and 100 in Salem. 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 $66,400 in Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 and $63,846 respectively. Salem 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 $1,549/month in Salem. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Salem, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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