Cost of Living in Lexington, VA

Population 7,420 · Virginia · Data vintage 2023

84
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Lexington a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $275,000. An unemployment rate of 0.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Lexington lies roughly 110 miles west of the nearest major metro, Richmond — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 16% lower than Richmond's $328,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 90
Rent 75

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

About the Cost of Living in Lexington

The median home value in Lexington is $275,300 — 10% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $985/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $89,598/year is 20% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Virginia's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 5.6%. The climate averages highs of 67.4°F and lows of 45.0°F, with about 11.6" of annual snowfall. Overall, Lexington has a cost of living index of 84 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$275,300
10% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$353,087
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$985/mo
25% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,788/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$970
1 BR
$989
2 BR
$1,200
3 BR
$1,645
4 BR
$1,885
Owner-occupied 51.7%
Renter-occupied 48.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$985
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,599/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
13.9 min
49% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
53.9%
Carpooled
2.1%
Walked
30.6%
Work from home
13.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%
Total Sales Tax 5.6%
State rate 4.3%
Avg local rate 1.3%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$89,598
20% above avg
Per Capita Income
$30,839
Unemployment Rate
0.7%
86% below avg
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Labor Force Participation
42.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 24.9%
Graduate degree 32.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 22.5
Male median age 21.5
Female median age 26.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
67.4°F
Avg Low
45.0°F
Annual Precip
42.8"
Annual Snowfall
11.6"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 465058697683878579695849
Low °F 262835445361656457453529
Precip" 3.462.913.763.453.983.824.193.223.963.123.393.50
Snow" 3.53.62.40.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.02.0

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

88%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
3,322
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lexington, VA?

Lexington has a cost index of 84 (100 = national average). It is 16% below the national average.

What is average rent in Lexington, VA?

The median gross rent in Lexington is $985 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lexington?

The median home value in Lexington is $275,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Lexington?

The median household income in Lexington is $89,598 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lexington, VA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Lexington is 5.6%. The Virginia state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Lexington, VA affordable?

Yes, Lexington is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 84 — about 16% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Lexington?

Lexington has average high temperatures of 67.4°F and average lows of 45.0°F. Annual precipitation is 42.8". Average annual snowfall is 11.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lexington at a Glance

Population
7,420
Median Income
$89,598
Home Value
$275,300
Median Rent
$985/mo
Unemployment
0.7%
Avg High Temp
67.4°F
Sales Tax
5.6%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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