Cost of Living in Lexington, TN

Population 7,943 · Tennessee · Data vintage 2023

57
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lexington is a smaller Tennessee community of around 8000 residents, where median household incomes of $49,253 and housing costs ($173,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 10.0% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Lexington lies roughly 85 miles southwest of the nearest major metro, Clarksville — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 27% lower than Clarksville's $236,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 57
Rent 58

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Lexington

The median home value in Lexington is $173,200 — 43% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $758/month, 42% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,253/year is 34% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.0%, above the national average of 4.8%. Tennessee charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 71.0°F and lows of 48.9°F. Overall, Lexington has a cost of living index of 57 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 43% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$173,200
43% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$209,906
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$758/mo
42% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$809
2 BR
$948
3 BR
$1,265
4 BR
$1,510
Owner-occupied 58.8%
Renter-occupied 41.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$758
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,372/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
27.8 min
3% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
84.0%
Carpooled
2.1%
Walked
0.4%
Work from home
12.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 9.6%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$49,253
34% below avg
Per Capita Income
$25,621
Unemployment Rate
10.0%
108% above avg
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Labor Force Participation
54.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.0%
Graduate degree 2.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.4
Male median age 36.3
Female median age 36.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
71.0°F
Avg Low
48.9°F
Annual Precip
53.9"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 495362728087909084736151
Low °F 293340485866696760483832
Precip" 4.074.405.555.125.584.764.373.533.583.634.335.01

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

79.1%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
11
Public schools
4,864
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lexington, TN?

Lexington has a cost index of 57 (100 = national average). It is 43% below the national average.

What is average rent in Lexington, TN?

The median gross rent in Lexington is $758 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lexington?

The median home value in Lexington is $173,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Lexington?

The median household income in Lexington is $49,253 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lexington, TN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Lexington is 9.6%. Tennessee has no state income tax.

Is Lexington, TN affordable?

Yes, Lexington is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 57 — about 43% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Lexington?

Lexington has average high temperatures of 71.0°F and average lows of 48.9°F. Annual precipitation is 53.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lexington at a Glance

Population
7,943
Median Income
$49,253
Home Value
$173,200
Median Rent
$758/mo
Unemployment
10.0%
Avg High Temp
71.0°F
Sales Tax
9.6%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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