City Comparison

Lexington vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

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

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

9.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 9.4%, with Tyler being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to $68,548 in Tyler.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
69
Tyler
Groceries
96
Lexington
96
Tyler
Utilities
91
Lexington
97
Tyler
Transportation
98
Lexington
92
Tyler
Healthcare
94
Lexington
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $68,548 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $82,059 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs Tyler

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $250,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington vs $456/month in Tyler. 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 Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $388 in Tyler. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lexington and 93 in Tyler. 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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 9.4% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,548 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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