Regarded as the Horse Capital of the World, Lexington is home to a number of horse farms and all kinds of equestrian events. The second largest city in Kentucky, Lexington maintains a small-town feel and progressive atmosphere thanks to an involved community and the presence of three colleges — the University of Kentucky, Transylvania University, and Bluegrass Community and Technical College.
There is something for everyone in Lexington. Sports fans enjoy the horse races at the Red Mile and Wildcats basketball games at Rupp Arena. Outdoor enthusiasts delight in the city’s thriving cycling community, as well as hiking the many trails in and near Lexington. History buffs relish access to the Mary Todd Lincoln House and Ashland: the Henry Clay Estate. Art lovers savor the plentiful art galleries, including Lexington Art League, Institute 193, and the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Center. Shoppers appreciate having the largest mall in Kentucky, Fayette Mall. Everyone in the Lexington community comes together at regular events and festivals such as the Fourth of July Parade, Kentucky Crawfish Festival, and Festival of Bluegrass.
Lexington’s diverse landscape means there’s something for every renter. Whether you’re looking for an apartment near the university or a single-family home in the heart of horse country, this vibrant city suits every budget and style.
As of April 2025, the average apartment rent in Lexington, KY is $941 for a studio, $1,059 for one bedroom, $1,327 for two bedrooms, and $1,641 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Lexington has increased by 1.3% in the past year.
The cost of living in Lexington, KY is 7.8% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Lexington is 21.8% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $941 - $1,641. You can expect to pay 0.9% more for groceries, 6.1% less for utilities, and 6.2% less for transportation.
Experience all Lexington offers without breaking the bank. Explore our detailed guide to moving to Lexington on a budget.
Somewhat Walkable
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.
Some Transit
out of 100 TransitScore® Rating
You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.
Bikeable
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.
Public
Grades PK-5
606 Students
Public
Grades K-5
533 Students
Public
Grades K-5
517 Students
Meadowthorpe Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
480 Students
Public
Grades 4-8
277 Students
Edythe Jones Hayes Middle School
Public
Grades 6-8
1,081 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,044 Students
Public
Grades 4-8
277 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
843 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
705 Students
Public
Grades 11-12
65 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,432 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
398 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,031 Students
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Public
Grades 9-12
1,946 Students
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100,016
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2025.
