City Comparison

Lexington vs Vienna

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

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

Vienna

Austria
88
Below Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

5.7%

Vienna is 5.7% less expensive than Lexington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lexington would need approximately $70,968 in Vienna to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
105
Vienna
Groceries
96
Lexington
85
Vienna
Utilities
91
Lexington
98
Vienna
Transportation
98
Lexington
102
Vienna
Healthcare
94
Lexington
82
Vienna

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $70,968 in Vienna.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $79,261 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs Vienna

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is lower Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $395,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 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 Vienna, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Lexington and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lexington and 82 in Vienna. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,648 in Lexington and $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vienna is 5.7% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,968 in Vienna, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while Vienna's is 105 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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