City Comparison

Lexington vs Trenton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

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

Trenton

New Jersey
97
Average
$203,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$44,400
Median Income

The Verdict

4.1%

Living in Lexington costs 4.1% less than Trenton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lexington, you would need $78,226 in Trenton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
71
Trenton
Groceries
96
Lexington
102
Trenton
Utilities
91
Lexington
109
Trenton
Transportation
98
Lexington
113
Trenton
Healthcare
94
Lexington
96
Trenton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $78,226 in Trenton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Trenton equals $71,907 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs Trenton

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is higher Trenton's 71, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $203,000. The $42,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,736 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,100/mo in Trenton, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 102 in Trenton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington vs $485/month in Trenton. Lexington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Lexington and 109 in Trenton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $436 in Trenton. 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 96 in Trenton. 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 $44,400 in Trenton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 and $45,773 respectively. Lexington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,298/month to housing in Lexington vs $1,036/month in Trenton. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Trenton, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington is 4.1% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,226 in Trenton, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while Trenton's is 71 with median homes at $203,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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