Lexington, KY vs Bowling Green, KY: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Bowling Green, KY is 2.9% less expensive than Lexington, KY (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Lexington works out to about $72,800 in Bowling Green, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 17.8% less in Bowling Green. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,215 a month in Bowling Green and $1,599 in Lexington, $4,608 a year less in Bowling Green (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $258,000 in Bowling Green and $325,000 in Lexington.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (3.9%).
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.
Housing drives the gap: 17.8% lower in Bowling Green than in Lexington
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Lexington, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
All items Lexington, KY: 92.9 Bowling Green, KY: 90.2
Goods Lexington, KY: 96.2 Bowling Green, KY: 96.2
Housing (rents) Lexington, KY: 77.1 Bowling Green, KY: 63.4
Utilities Lexington, KY: 74.6 Bowling Green, KY: 75.2
Other services Lexington, KY: 96.9 Bowling Green, KY: 96.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lexington, KY | Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.9 | 90.2 |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 77.1 | 63.4 |
| Utilities | 74.6 | 75.2 |
| Other services | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| Category | Lexington | Bowling Green | Bowling Green vs Lexington |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.9 | 90.2 | −2.9% |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.2 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 77.1 | 63.4 | −17.8% |
| Utilities | 74.6 | 75.2 | +0.8% |
| Other services | 96.9 | 96.9 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,599 | $1,215 | −24.0% |
| Typical home value | $325,000 | $258,000 | −20.7% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Lexington | $75,000 | $72,800 | −2.9% |
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 Lexington and Bowling Green has narrowed since 2008: 8.3 points then, 2.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Lexington, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lexington, KY | Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.0 | 86.6 |
| 2009 | 93.6 | 84.7 |
| 2010 | 94.2 | 88.5 |
| 2011 | 95.1 | 87.8 |
| 2012 | 96.2 | 88.7 |
| 2013 | 95.1 | 90.0 |
| 2014 | 95.1 | 89.3 |
| 2015 | 95.1 | 88.9 |
| 2016 | 95.2 | 87.3 |
| 2017 | 94.8 | 87.8 |
| 2018 | 91.3 | 87.9 |
| 2019 | 92.5 | 88.9 |
| 2020 | 91.6 | 89.4 |
| 2021 | 92.1 | 88.6 |
| 2022 | 91.3 | 89.3 |
| 2023 | 92.5 | 89.9 |
| 2024 | 92.9 | 90.2 |
Goods
- Lexington, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lexington, KY | Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.2 | 95.3 |
| 2009 | 95.1 | 91.9 |
| 2010 | 97.0 | 96.9 |
| 2011 | 96.9 | 94.7 |
| 2012 | 97.3 | 91.1 |
| 2013 | 97.3 | 92.9 |
| 2014 | 98.2 | 92.0 |
| 2015 | 96.6 | 91.6 |
| 2016 | 97.4 | 92.8 |
| 2017 | 97.1 | 91.7 |
| 2018 | 92.8 | 92.8 |
| 2019 | 94.8 | 94.8 |
| 2020 | 94.4 | 94.4 |
| 2021 | 93.9 | 93.9 |
| 2022 | 94.2 | 94.2 |
| 2023 | 94.4 | 94.4 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
Housing (rents)
- Lexington, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lexington, KY | Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 82.8 | 57.3 |
| 2009 | 81.1 | 58.9 |
| 2010 | 78.1 | 64.5 |
| 2011 | 77.4 | 58.7 |
| 2012 | 82.2 | 63.6 |
| 2013 | 78.6 | 66.5 |
| 2014 | 76.3 | 64.1 |
| 2015 | 77.2 | 62.7 |
| 2016 | 74.4 | 59.4 |
| 2017 | 75.0 | 63.3 |
| 2018 | 76.4 | 59.8 |
| 2019 | 78.5 | 62.0 |
| 2020 | 75.5 | 65.1 |
| 2021 | 77.8 | 62.2 |
| 2022 | 70.8 | 63.3 |
| 2023 | 74.4 | 66.1 |
| 2024 | 77.1 | 63.4 |
Utilities
- Lexington, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lexington, KY | Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 77.5 | 70.2 |
| 2009 | 78.1 | 70.8 |
| 2010 | 79.1 | 72.6 |
| 2011 | 81.8 | 76.4 |
| 2012 | 81.6 | 80.7 |
| 2013 | 82.6 | 80.5 |
| 2014 | 85.1 | 83.9 |
| 2015 | 85.4 | 86.5 |
| 2016 | 84.1 | 86.9 |
| 2017 | 82.2 | 87.8 |
| 2018 | 78.0 | 79.3 |
| 2019 | 76.2 | 78.2 |
| 2020 | 74.9 | 77.4 |
| 2021 | 78.8 | 80.0 |
| 2022 | 81.2 | 81.8 |
| 2023 | 81.1 | 80.7 |
| 2024 | 74.6 | 75.2 |
Other services
- Lexington, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lexington, KY | Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.8 | 95.5 |
| 2009 | 98.3 | 93.1 |
| 2010 | 99.7 | 94.7 |
| 2011 | 101.4 | 96.2 |
| 2012 | 101.5 | 97.9 |
| 2013 | 100.7 | 98.6 |
| 2014 | 100.6 | 99.2 |
| 2015 | 101.0 | 97.8 |
| 2016 | 102.0 | 96.2 |
| 2017 | 100.8 | 94.6 |
| 2018 | 96.3 | 96.3 |
| 2019 | 96.7 | 96.7 |
| 2020 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2021 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2022 | 96.8 | 96.8 |
| 2023 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2024 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,215 in Bowling Green vs $1,599 in Lexington
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Lexington, KY
- Bowling Green, 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
| Lexington, KY | Bowling Green, KY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $862 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $878 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $880 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $889 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $894 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $920 | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $930 | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $928 | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $940 | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $948 | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $959 | $886 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $958 | $864 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $963 | $854 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $981 | $877 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $979 | $862 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $988 | $878 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $993 | $877 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,010 | $894 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,019 | $891 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,015 | $893 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,026 | $896 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,037 | $917 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,059 | $927 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,064 | $914 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,081 | $934 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,131 | $960 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,186 | $1,019 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,197 | $1,033 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,214 | $1,064 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,273 | $1,094 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,301 | $1,113 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,301 | $1,099 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,325 | – | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,356 | $1,151 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,376 | $1,154 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,384 | $1,151 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,398 | $1,168 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,431 | $1,185 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,463 | $1,191 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,467 | $1,188 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,473 | $1,194 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,505 | $1,194 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,540 | $1,201 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,546 | $1,209 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,541 | $1,214 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,547 | $1,226 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,599 | $1,215 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $258,000 in Bowling Green vs $325,000 in Lexington
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Lexington, KY
- Bowling Green, 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
| Lexington, KY | Bowling Green, KY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $159K | $129K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $161K | $132K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $163K | $134K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $164K | $137K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $167K | $139K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $169K | $141K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $171K | $142K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $173K | $144K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $175K | $147K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $178K | $150K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $181K | $152K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $184K | $155K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $188K | $157K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $190K | $159K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $192K | $161K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $193K | $163K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $195K | $164K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $198K | $166K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $200K | $169K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $202K | $171K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $206K | $174K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $209K | $176K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $214K | $181K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $222K | $188K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $229K | $195K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $238K | $203K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $244K | $208K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $249K | $211K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $259K | $222K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $271K | $232K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $273K | $236K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $275K | $238K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $276K | $239K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $283K | $244K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $290K | $247K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $293K | $248K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $296K | $251K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $302K | $254K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $305K | $254K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $307K | $255K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $313K | $261K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $313K | $261K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $315K | $259K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $318K | $259K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $320K | $261K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $322K | $260K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $325K | $258K | $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.