Is Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY cheaper than Chesapeake, VA?

Based on cost of living data, Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY is 9.7% cheaper than Chesapeake, VA. This translates to saving $728 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Chesapeake, VA, you'd need approximately $141,262.136 in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Chesapeake, VA and Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY?

Housing in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY is 14.3% cheaper than in Chesapeake, VA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,000/month in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY compared to $1,875/month in Chesapeake, VA.

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

Moving from Chesapeake, VA to Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY could save you approximately $728 per month, or $8738 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Chesapeake, VA 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 Chesapeake, VA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $728/month moving to Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$150.0K in your current city equals $141.3K in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC area

Overall Cost

↓ 9.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$728

Savings

Annual Impact

$8.7K

Per year

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

Chesapeake, VA

Population:249K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$347K

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Population:320K

Cost Index:

(10% below avg)

Median Home:$345K

Chesapeake, VA

The Old Dominion State

249K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 249K residents.

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: Chesapeake, VA vs Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Category	Chesapeake, VA	Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,729/mo	$2,339/mo	↓ $390less	14.3%
Other	$1,758/mo	$1,641/mo	↓ $117less	6.7%
All Utilities	$574/mo	$464/mo	↓ $109less	19.0%
Healthcare	$632/mo	$551/mo	↓ $80.54less	12.7%
Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $68.30less	5.3%
Groceries	$959/mo	$959/mo	→ $0	0.0%

Housing

↓ 14.3%

Chesapeake, VA

$2,729

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$2,339

Difference

$390

less

Other

↓ 6.7%

Chesapeake, VA

$1,758

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$1,641

Difference

$117

less

All Utilities

↓ 19.0%

Chesapeake, VA

$574

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$464

Difference

$109

less

Healthcare

↓ 12.7%

Chesapeake, VA

$632

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$551

Difference

$80.54

less

Transportation

↓ 5.3%

Chesapeake, VA

$1,284

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$1,216

Difference

$68.30

less

Groceries

→ 0.0%

Chesapeake, VA

$959

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$959

Difference

same

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,630

To$720

↓ $910

1 Bed

From$1,660

To$820

↓ $840

2 Bed

From$1,875

To$1,000

↓ $875

3 Bed

From$2,600

To$1,350

↓ $1,250

Chesapeake, VAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,290–$1,900/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.

$7,935

Monthly in Chesapeake, VA

$7,170

Monthly in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$765

Difference

Home Values

Chesapeake

Lexington-Fayette urban county

$347K

Median Value

↑ +2%

YoY Change

↑ +34.2%

5-Year Change

$277K - $411K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Chesapeake

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $868

Per year

Monthly Difference

$72.29

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.6%

Rate difference

Chesapeake, VA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Virginia State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,718/month

$104.6K

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

Chesapeake, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%

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.