Is Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY cheaper than Charlotte, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY is 4.1% cheaper than Charlotte, NC. This translates to saving $309 per month.

What salary do I need in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY to live like I do in Charlotte, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Charlotte, NC, you'd need approximately $146,288.66 in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Charlotte, NC and Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY?

Housing in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY is 5.3% cheaper than in Charlotte, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,000/month in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY compared to $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Charlotte, NC to Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY?

Moving from Charlotte, NC to Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY could save you approximately $309 per month, or $3711 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Charlotte, NC vs Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Charlotte, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $309/month moving to Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$150.0K in your current city equals $146.3K in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC area

Overall Cost

↓ 4.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$309

Savings

Annual Impact

$3.7K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$399K

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Population:320K

Cost Index:

(4% below avg)

Median Home:$345K

Charlotte, NC

The Tar Heel State

875K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Major banking center
•NASCAR headquarters
•Queen City

Major Industries

FinanceTechnologyEnergyMotorsports

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

The Bluegrass State

320K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 320K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Charlotte, NC vs Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Category	Charlotte, NC	Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,469/mo	$2,339/mo	↓ $130less	5.3%
Healthcare	$638/mo	$551/mo	↓ $86.74less	13.6%
Other	$1,707/mo	$1,641/mo	↓ $66.96less	3.9%
All Utilities	$519/mo	$464/mo	↓ $54.64less	10.5%
Groceries	$989/mo	$959/mo	↓ $29.98less	3.0%
Transportation	$1,202/mo	$1,216/mo	↑ $13.66more	1.1%

Housing

↓ 5.3%

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$2,339

Difference

$130

less

Healthcare

↓ 13.6%

Charlotte, NC

$638

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$551

Difference

$86.74

less

Other

↓ 3.9%

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$1,641

Difference

$66.96

less

All Utilities

↓ 10.5%

Charlotte, NC

$519

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$464

Difference

$54.64

less

Groceries

↓ 3.0%

Charlotte, NC

$989

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$959

Difference

$29.98

less

Transportation

↑ 1.1%

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$1,216

Difference

$13.66

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,630

To$720

↓ $910

1 Bed

From$1,710

To$820

↓ $890

2 Bed

From$1,870

To$1,000

↓ $870

3 Bed

From$2,300

To$1,350

↓ $950

Charlotte, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,340–$2,310/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$7,170

Monthly in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$355

Difference

Home Values

Charlotte

Lexington-Fayette urban county

$399K

Median Value

↓ -1.1%

YoY Change

↑ +40.8%

5-Year Change

$293K - $1.57M

Price Range

Calculate payment - Charlotte

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $375

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$31.25

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Charlotte, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Kentucky State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

Additional Tax Information

Charlotte, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.