F
113%
Overall NAT. AVG.
22%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
331%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Lexington Massachusetts National
Cost of living213133100
Goods & Services122122100
Groceries105105100
Health care113113100
Housing431165100
Transportation118118100
Utilities134134100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Lexington, MA

Knowing the cost of living in Lexington allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Lexington stands at 213, marking it 113% higher than the national average.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Lexington is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Lexington falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Lexington cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 330.8% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

The things you purchase regularly, like clothes, haircuts, movie tickets and gym memberships, can make a big dent in your budget and make up 33% of the cost of living index. Unfortunately in Lexington, these items will cost you 21.6% more than what's considered the norm, making it a more expensive place to call home.

Is Lexington Affordable?

Is Lexington affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Lexington, for instance, where the median home price falls 405.6% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 156.2% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Lexington flaunting a median household income of $185,686, 235.6% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Lexington?

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Lexington, the housing index stands at 330.8% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Lexington, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates kick off at 5%.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Lexington cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Lexington is 60% higher than the Massachusetts average
  • The cost of living in Lexington is 113% higher than the national average
  • Lexington housing is 331% higher than the national average
  • Massachusetts general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Massachusetts state income tax is 93% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Lexington

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Compare Lexington, MA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$215,689$17,974$5,032$6,471
      Renters$87,306$7,276$2,037$2,619
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Lexington, MA, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Lexington, homeowners have a median income of $215,689. Using that number, a maximum of $5,032 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $87,306, which means there is a maximum of $2,037 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Massachusetts Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Massachusetts 6.25% 6.25%

      Massachusetts Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Massachusetts 5% 9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Lexington National avg. Difference
      Haircut $43.72$24.2680.2%
      Beauty Salon $65.56$45.5643.9%
      Toothpaste $3.53$3.704.7%
      Shampoo $1.49$1.2816.4%
      Movie $15.49$12.1327.6%
      Bowling $29.33$18.0063.0%

      Groceries

      Item Lexington National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.48$5.846.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.45$1.578.0%
      Milk $4.76$4.671.9%
      Potatoes $4.99$4.931.1%
      Pizza $12.52$12.093.6%
      Beer $10.21$10.411.9%

      Health Care

      Item Lexington National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $123.17$125.682.0%
      Doctor $157.89$135.7816.3%
      Dentist $149.22$113.2931.7%
      Ibuprofen $11.39$10.656.9%
      Lipitor $384.69$468.6017.9%

      Housing

      Item Lexington National avg. Difference
      Home Price $933,800.00$184,700.00405.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $4,745.89$2,346.69102.2%
      Apartment Rent $2,431.00$949.00156.2%

      Transportation

      Item Lexington National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.43$3.460.9%
      Tire Balancing $97.39$59.9262.5%

      Utilities

      Item Lexington National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $302.72$193.9956.0%
      Phone $187.85$192.252.3%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lowell, MA111,31112827.6%
      Lynn, MA94,20113635.5%
      Maynard, MA10,90013635.8%
      Littleton Common, MA3,37013939.4%
      Chelsea, MA39,87814039.5%
      Lexington, MA33,304213112.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hinesville, GA33,304936.9%
      Holland, MI33,329937.1%
      Springville, UT33,25111413.9%
      Alabaster, AL33,373990.5%
      Prairieville, LA33,2281087.9%
      Lexington, MA33,304213112.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.