City Comparison

Lexington vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

12.3%

Living in Lexington costs 12.3% less than Warwick. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lexington, you would need $85,484 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
127
Warwick
Groceries
96
Lexington
102
Warwick
Utilities
91
Lexington
112
Warwick
Transportation
98
Lexington
105
Warwick
Healthcare
94
Lexington
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $85,484 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $65,802 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $413,000. The $168,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,920 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $448 in Warwick. 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 103 in Warwick. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington is 12.3% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,484 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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