Plus, a new children's boutique is opening.
 
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Sunrise 6:29 a.m. | Sunset 8:58 p.m.

 

What it costs to live in LEX
Downtown Lexington with curly street lamps and the big blue building
Big blue skies, big blue building, big blue nation | Photo by LEXtoday
With Lexington constantly growing and undertaking multiple high-profile developments this year, we figured it was time to talk about the cost of planting some roots in the Horse Capital of the World.

The median household income in Fayette County is $66,087 according to the US Census Bureau. State-wise, Kentucky is No. 45 in the country for median income at $55,573 per household.
A chart showing Lexington's cost of living compared to the state.

The overall cost of living in Lexington is lower than the national average. | Screenshot via bestplaces.net

The overall cost of living in Lexington is lower than the national average, but higher than the rest of the state.

In Lexington, the cost of healthcare is lower compared to other parts of the state, but slightly higher than the US average. However, the cost of groceries, housing, and other miscellaneous expenses in the city have higher average costs than other cities in Kentucky.

Breaking down the numbers

Hypothetically speaking, if you live in a household that brings in $55,000, your max monthly budget for rent and utilities would be about $1,375. The average monthly rent for an apartment in Lexington is $1,245 — putting you just under budget.

Meanwhile, if you’re wondering how much you can currently afford to spend on buying a home in Lexington, try using SmartAsset’s cost calculator. Factors like your marital status, annual pre-tax income, down payment, and monthly debt, will help determine that figure. According to BestPlaces, the median home cost in Lexington is $260,300.

While we’re crunching numbers, let’s also take a look at the chart below to see how Lexington’s cost of living compares to that of Louisville.

Cost of living chart comparing Lexington with Louisville

The overall cost of living in Lexington is slightly higher than in Louisville. | Screenshot via bestplaces.net

Interested in seeing Lexington’s cost of living compared to cities in other states? We played around on NerdWallet’s cost of living calculator, where you can put in any city along with your current pre-tax household income to find out what other cities you could actually afford to live in.
City Guides are presented by VisitLEX.
 
Asked
 

What would you tell someone who is considering moving here about the cost of living?
A. This is a really affordable city to live
B. Prices are reasonable — not exorbitant, not cheap
C. Prepare yourself for sticker shock — it’s expensive
 
Baptist Health
 
Events
 
Thursday, July 18
  • Kevin James Thornton | Thursday, July 18 | 7 p.m. | Comedy Off Broadway, 161 Lexington Green Cir., Unit C4, Lexington | $30 | See this TikTok-famous comedian as he shares his stories of growing up in the LGBTQ+ community.
Friday, July 19
  • East End Nights | Friday, July 19 | 6-10 p.m. | ArtHouse Kentucky, 576 E. Third St., Ste. 120, Lexington | Free | Kick off an evening celebrating all forms of art with live music, an art exhibit, and a public market along Legacy Trail.
  • “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” | Friday, July 19-Sunday, July 21 | 7 p.m. | Woodland Park, 601 E. High St., Lexington | Free | Love looks not with the eyes, but the mind at this year’s Shakespeare in the Park performance of the classic, tragic comedy.
Saturday, July 20
  • Keeneland Concours d’Elegance | Saturday, July 20 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Keeneland, 4201 Versailles Rd., Lexington | $20 | Take a step back in time as you walk the grounds to see fully preserved, antique vehicles and enjoy on-site food + drinks.
  • Bike Drive | Saturday, July 20 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Tates Creek Community Center, 3460 Campus Way, Lexington | Free | Donate a bike or help kids find their own set of wheels alongside UK linebacker J.J. Weaver.
Sunday, July 21
  • Plant Swap & Shop | Sunday, July 21 | 12-3 p.m. | Blue Stallion Brewing, 610 W. Third St., Lexington | Free | Bring a few plants, cuttings, or plant accessories to trade, sell, or give away for free.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
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Biz
 

How this local team can help your business thrive

a man works at a pottery wheel
Explore how Central Bank can help you make decisions to keep your business competitive in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business world. | Photo courtesy of Central Bank
Running a successful business takes a supportive team. Here are three ways Central Bank supports local businesses in and around Lexington:
Central Bank’s dedicated commercial banking team can help business owners find the best solution for their needs, regardless of their size.†
†Member FDIC.
 
News Notes
 
Opening
  • Getting ready for the new school year? Stop by the grand opening of kids boutique Lele + Lane on Saturday, Aug. 3, 12-3 p.m., at 4383 Old Harrodsburg Rd., Ste. 110. Here, you and the family can enjoy face painting, balloon animals, giveaways, and more.
Biz
Announced
  • After a closing temporarily earlier this month, Broomwagon Bikes is returning — this time as a co-op. The former staff worked with Patchwork Cooperative Loan Fund and have taken over the bike shop, transitioning it to the new business model. New hours of operation will be announced soon.
Number
  • $2.3 million. That’s how much renovations for a Starbucks in UK HealthCare’s main outpatient clinic will cost. Upgrades to the 1,550 sqft space will include a longer coffee bar and it’s expected to see the spot closed for 12 weeks in October when the project begins. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Eat
  • Pasta Garage is giving you a chance to take a trip to Italy without leaving the city. Join the crew for its Tour of Italy on Thursday, July 25, 7-10 p.m. Tickets include a multi-course meal with bites from different regions of the country, like carbonara and lasagna.
Feel Good
  • Lexington firefighters were in for a surprise when they received a call about a cat trapped in a storm drain near Richmond Road. After working diligently, the Station 9 crew rescued the kitten and aptly named it Stormy, who is now in the care of one of the firefighters. (WKYT)
 
 
Eat
 

🍽️ Bon Appétit
Two plates with fries, dipping sauces, fried green tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella slices
Dinner and a view at Palmers Fresh Grill is just what the doctor ordered. | Photo by LEXtoday
Mark your calendars and get those reservations booked, because Lexington Restaurant Week returns today through Sunday, July 28. We’re dishing out the delicious details, so you can sample multiple multi-course meals — with prices ranging from $25 to $45 — from 25+ of our local restaurants.

$25 specials

  • Agave and Rye
  • Bella Notte
  • Gus’s Fried Chicken
  • Josie’s
  • Pasta Garage
  • Ramsey’s
  • The Thirsty Fox/Zim’s Cafe
Editor’s choice: Gus’s Fried Chicken | Fried pickles with Half Chicken Plate + a choice of two sides

$35 specials

  • Bella Cafe & Grille
  • Honeywood
  • J. Render’s
  • Lost Palm
  • Palmers Fresh Grill
  • School Sushi
Editor’s choice: Palmers Fresh Grill | Fried green tomato caprese, salmon oscar, and keylime pie

$45 specials

  • Azur
  • Blue Heron Steakhouse
  • Castle Farm at The Kentucky Castle
  • Cole’s 735 Main
  • Dudley’s on Short
  • Epping’s on Eastside
  • Granddam
  • Holly Hill Inn
  • ItalX
  • Le Deauville
  • Lockbox
  • Malone’s
  • Merrick Inn
  • OBC Kitchen
  • The Rackhouse Tavern
Editor’s choice: Lockbox | Smashed cucumber salad, cornmeal dusted trout, and a blue corn cake
 
The Buy
 
Dreo’s oscillating tower fan for your bedroom, which is ultra-quiet, circulates cool air, and is still on sale for Prime Day.
 
Lexington Legends
 
The Wrap
 
Aayat Ali

Today’s edition by:
Aayat
From the editor
If you’ve been keeping up with LEXtoday for the last year or so, you’ll know that I’m a fan of Halloween all year long. That’s why I was so excited to see some of this year’s ScareFest celebrity appearances announced, including the one-and-only Ken Page, perhaps better known as voicing Oogie Boogie from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
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