City Comparison

Lexington vs Yuma

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

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

Yuma

Arizona
92
Below Average
$284,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$54,100
Median Income

The Verdict

1.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.1%, with Yuma being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to $74,194 in Yuma.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
82
Yuma
Groceries
96
Lexington
101
Yuma
Utilities
91
Lexington
102
Yuma
Transportation
98
Lexington
97
Yuma
Healthcare
94
Lexington
87
Yuma

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $74,194 in Yuma.

Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $75,815 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs Yuma

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is equal to Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $284,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 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 Yuma, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $408 in Yuma. 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 87 in Yuma. 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 $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 and $58,804 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 $1,262/month in Yuma. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yuma is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,194 in Yuma, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while Yuma's is 82 with median homes at $284,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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