Is Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY cheaper than Nashville, TN?

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

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

If you earn $150,000 in Nashville, TN, 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 Nashville, TN and Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY?

Housing in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY is 11.8% cheaper than in Nashville, TN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,000/month in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY compared to $1,840/month in Nashville, TN.

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

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

Nashville, TN 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 Nashville, TN

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 Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN 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.

Nashville, TN

Population:689K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$489K

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Population:320K

Cost Index:

(10% below avg)

Median Home:$345K

Nashville, TN

The Volunteer State

689K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Music City USA
•Country music capital
•Healthcare industry hub

Major Industries

Music IndustryHealthcareTourismFinance

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: Nashville, TN vs Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Category	Nashville, TN	Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,651/mo	$2,339/mo	↓ $312less	11.8%
Other	$1,942/mo	$1,641/mo	↓ $301less	15.5%
Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $68.30less	5.3%
Healthcare	$607/mo	$551/mo	↓ $55.76less	9.2%
All Utilities	$519/mo	$464/mo	↓ $54.64less	10.5%
Groceries	$949/mo	$959/mo	↑ $9.99more	1.1%

Housing

↓ 11.8%

Nashville, TN

$2,651

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$2,339

Difference

$312

less

Other

↓ 15.5%

Nashville, TN

$1,942

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$1,641

Difference

$301

less

Transportation

↓ 5.3%

Nashville, TN

$1,284

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$1,216

Difference

$68.30

less

Healthcare

↓ 9.2%

Nashville, TN

$607

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$551

Difference

$55.76

less

All Utilities

↓ 10.5%

Nashville, TN

$519

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$464

Difference

$54.64

less

Groceries

↑ 1.1%

Nashville, TN

$949

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$959

Difference

$9.99

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,600

To$720

↓ $880

1 Bed

From$1,680

To$820

↓ $860

2 Bed

From$1,840

To$1,000

↓ $840

3 Bed

From$2,350

To$1,350

↓ $1,000

Nashville, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,320–$2,230/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.

$7,952

Monthly in Nashville, TN

$7,170

Monthly in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

$782

Difference

Home Values

Nashville

Lexington-Fayette urban county

$489K

Median Value

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↑ +32.1%

5-Year Change

$320K - $1.16M

Price Range

Calculate payment - Nashville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.5K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$625

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.0%

Rate difference

Nashville, TN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Tennessee State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Nashville, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%

Property Tax:0.7%

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.