City Comparison · 2026
Lexington vs New York City
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Lexington = $229k in New York City
Metric
Lexington
New York City
COL Index
✓0.93
2.13
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,100/mo
$3,500/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,380/mo
$4,500/mo
State Income Tax
KY
NY
$100k Take-Home
✓$74,736
$73,522
$100k Effective Rate
✓25.26%
26.48%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$61,536
$31,522
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Lexington KY | New York City NY |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,848 $3,987/mo · 20.25% eff. | $47,420 $3,952/mo · 20.97% eff. |
| $100,000 | $74,736 $6,228/mo · 25.26% eff. | $73,522 $6,127/mo · 26.48% eff. |
| $150,000 | $107,278 $8,940/mo · 28.48% eff. | $104,939 $8,745/mo · 30.04% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lexington or New York City cheaper to live in?
Lexington has a cost-of-living index of 0.93 while New York City is 2.13 (1.00 = US average). Lexington is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Lexington is $1,100/month vs $3,500/month in New York City.
How much more do you need to earn in New York City vs Lexington?
$100k in Lexington = $229k in New York City. Cost of living in New York City is higher by 129%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Lexington or New York City?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $74,736 in KY (Lexington) and $73,522 in NY (New York City). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $61,536 in Lexington vs $31,522 in New York City.
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