Huntsville, AL vs Lexington, KY: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Lexington, KY and Huntsville, AL are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Huntsville works out to about $74,900 in Lexington, before taxes.
- Housing is 1.1% lower in Lexington, goods 0.2% lower and other services 0.2% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,599 a month in Lexington and $1,387 in Huntsville, $2,544 a year more in Lexington (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $325,000 in Lexington and $314,000 in Huntsville.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.4%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Huntsville and Lexington
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Huntsville, AL
- Lexington, KY
All items Huntsville, AL: 93.1 Lexington, KY: 92.9
Goods Huntsville, AL: 96.4 Lexington, KY: 96.2
Housing (rents) Huntsville, AL: 77.9 Lexington, KY: 77.1
Utilities Huntsville, AL: 83.9 Lexington, KY: 74.6
Other services Huntsville, AL: 96.7 Lexington, KY: 96.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.1 | 92.9 |
| Goods | 96.4 | 96.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 77.9 | 77.1 |
| Utilities | 83.9 | 74.6 |
| Other services | 96.7 | 96.9 |
| Category | Huntsville | Lexington | Lexington vs Huntsville |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.1 | 92.9 | −0.2% |
| Goods | 96.4 | 96.2 | −0.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 77.9 | 77.1 | −1.1% |
| Utilities | 83.9 | 74.6 | −11.1% |
| Other services | 96.7 | 96.9 | +0.2% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,387 | $1,599 | +15.3% |
| Typical home value | $314,000 | $325,000 | +3.7% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Huntsville | $75,000 | $74,900 | −0.2% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Huntsville and Lexington has narrowed since 2008: 2.9 points then, 0.2 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Huntsville, AL
- Lexington, KY
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.1 | 95.0 |
| 2009 | 91.2 | 93.6 |
| 2010 | 92.6 | 94.2 |
| 2011 | 93.8 | 95.1 |
| 2012 | 94.0 | 96.2 |
| 2013 | 93.6 | 95.1 |
| 2014 | 92.7 | 95.1 |
| 2015 | 92.7 | 95.1 |
| 2016 | 93.6 | 95.2 |
| 2017 | 94.0 | 94.8 |
| 2018 | 89.8 | 91.3 |
| 2019 | 91.2 | 92.5 |
| 2020 | 90.7 | 91.6 |
| 2021 | 91.5 | 92.1 |
| 2022 | 92.8 | 91.3 |
| 2023 | 93.8 | 92.5 |
| 2024 | 93.1 | 92.9 |
Goods
- Huntsville, AL
- Lexington, KY
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.7 | 97.2 |
| 2009 | 94.8 | 95.1 |
| 2010 | 96.5 | 97.0 |
| 2011 | 96.5 | 96.9 |
| 2012 | 96.7 | 97.3 |
| 2013 | 97.2 | 97.3 |
| 2014 | 97.8 | 98.2 |
| 2015 | 96.5 | 96.6 |
| 2016 | 97.2 | 97.4 |
| 2017 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2018 | 92.5 | 92.8 |
| 2019 | 94.6 | 94.8 |
| 2020 | 94.3 | 94.4 |
| 2021 | 93.9 | 93.9 |
| 2022 | 94.7 | 94.2 |
| 2023 | 94.6 | 94.4 |
| 2024 | 96.4 | 96.2 |
Housing (rents)
- Huntsville, AL
- Lexington, KY
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 68.6 | 82.8 |
| 2009 | 65.3 | 81.1 |
| 2010 | 66.0 | 78.1 |
| 2011 | 69.9 | 77.4 |
| 2012 | 69.8 | 82.2 |
| 2013 | 69.8 | 78.6 |
| 2014 | 64.1 | 76.3 |
| 2015 | 65.1 | 77.2 |
| 2016 | 65.3 | 74.4 |
| 2017 | 69.8 | 75.0 |
| 2018 | 67.3 | 76.4 |
| 2019 | 68.8 | 78.5 |
| 2020 | 70.5 | 75.5 |
| 2021 | 72.9 | 77.8 |
| 2022 | 76.8 | 70.8 |
| 2023 | 81.2 | 74.4 |
| 2024 | 77.9 | 77.1 |
Utilities
- Huntsville, AL
- Lexington, KY
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 91.9 | 77.5 |
| 2009 | 91.7 | 78.1 |
| 2010 | 93.9 | 79.1 |
| 2011 | 93.9 | 81.8 |
| 2012 | 94.1 | 81.6 |
| 2013 | 92.1 | 82.6 |
| 2014 | 92.5 | 85.1 |
| 2015 | 92.6 | 85.4 |
| 2016 | 92.5 | 84.1 |
| 2017 | 90.9 | 82.2 |
| 2018 | 87.3 | 78.0 |
| 2019 | 86.1 | 76.2 |
| 2020 | 84.4 | 74.9 |
| 2021 | 86.3 | 78.8 |
| 2022 | 87.8 | 81.2 |
| 2023 | 89.4 | 81.1 |
| 2024 | 83.9 | 74.6 |
Other services
- Huntsville, AL
- Lexington, KY
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.6 | 98.8 |
| 2009 | 98.2 | 98.3 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 99.7 |
| 2011 | 101.5 | 101.4 |
| 2012 | 101.8 | 101.5 |
| 2013 | 100.6 | 100.7 |
| 2014 | 100.4 | 100.6 |
| 2015 | 101.0 | 101.0 |
| 2016 | 102.2 | 102.0 |
| 2017 | 100.8 | 100.8 |
| 2018 | 95.9 | 96.3 |
| 2019 | 96.9 | 96.7 |
| 2020 | 96.5 | 96.2 |
| 2021 | 96.1 | 96.2 |
| 2022 | 97.1 | 96.8 |
| 2023 | 98.2 | 97.8 |
| 2024 | 96.7 | 96.9 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,599 in Lexington vs $1,387 in Huntsville
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Huntsville, AL
- Lexington, KY
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $758 | $862 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $765 | $878 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $762 | $880 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $766 | $889 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $776 | $894 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $782 | $920 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $785 | $930 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $783 | $928 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $793 | $940 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $811 | $948 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $813 | $959 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $817 | $958 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $833 | $963 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $852 | $981 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $867 | $979 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $878 | $988 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $886 | $993 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $913 | $1,010 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $943 | $1,019 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $951 | $1,015 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $984 | $1,026 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,019 | $1,037 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,070 | $1,059 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,075 | $1,064 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,121 | $1,081 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,186 | $1,131 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,227 | $1,186 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,249 | $1,197 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,265 | $1,214 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,304 | $1,273 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,303 | $1,301 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,296 | $1,301 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,330 | $1,325 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,349 | $1,356 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,335 | $1,376 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,343 | $1,384 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,339 | $1,398 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,354 | $1,431 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,357 | $1,463 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,348 | $1,467 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,342 | $1,473 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,357 | $1,505 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,351 | $1,540 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,359 | $1,546 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,378 | $1,541 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,369 | $1,547 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,387 | $1,599 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $325,000 in Lexington vs $314,000 in Huntsville
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Huntsville, AL
- Lexington, KY
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Huntsville, AL | Lexington, KY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $168K | $159K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $169K | $161K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $168K | $163K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $169K | $164K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $171K | $167K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $173K | $169K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $173K | $171K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $175K | $173K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $177K | $175K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $178K | $178K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $177K | $181K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $180K | $184K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $183K | $188K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $185K | $190K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $186K | $192K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $189K | $193K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $193K | $195K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $196K | $198K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $199K | $200K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $204K | $202K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $211K | $206K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $216K | $209K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $223K | $214K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $233K | $222K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $245K | $229K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $261K | $238K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $274K | $244K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $284K | $249K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $297K | $259K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $311K | $271K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $312K | $273K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $308K | $275K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $307K | $276K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $310K | $283K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $311K | $290K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $311K | $293K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $311K | $296K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $312K | $302K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $310K | $305K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $310K | $307K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $311K | $313K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $310K | $313K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $310K | $315K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $311K | $318K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $313K | $320K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $313K | $322K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $314K | $325K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.