Quick answer
At current rates, renting wins over the full 30-year horizon in Lexington. Monthly ownership cost $2,104 (vs $$1,350/mo rent) plus KY's 0.83% property tax make the math tough.
Rent vs Buy · KY
Rent vs Buy in Lexington (2026)
Real math using KY's 0.83% property tax rate, $2,200/year average insurance, and a 6.8% 30-year fixed mortgage. Accounts for opportunity cost — what the down payment would earn invested at 7%.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Verdict at current rates
Renting wins (30-year horizon)
In Lexington at KY's tax rates and current 6.8% mortgages, keeping the down payment invested at 7% beats homeownership even after 30 years. The standard advice "buy to build equity" doesn't apply here at today's price-to-rent ratio.
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Buying
$2,104/mo
Mortgage P&I
$228,000 loan, 30yr @ 6.8%
$1,486
Property tax
0.83% of assessed (KY avg)
$197
Homeowners insurance
$2,200/yr KY avg
$183
Maintenance
1%/yr of home value
$238
Cash at close: ~$64,125 ($20% down + fees)
Renting
$1,350/mo
2BR rent (median)
Lexington market rate
$1,350
Renters insurance
~$15/mo typical
$15
Down payment invested
$57,000 growing at 7%/yr
(opportunity cost)
Monthly gap: $754 cheaper than buying. Renter invests that difference.
Year-by-Year Net Position
"Buy wins by" = what you'd clear selling the home minus what the renter has in investments. Positive = buy ahead.
| Year | Home value | Buyer equity (net) | Renter portfolio (net) | Buy wins by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 5 | $330,393 | $-89,544 | +$43,085 | $-132,628 |
| Year 10 | $383,016 | $-136,036 | +$35,982 | $-172,018 |
| Year 15 | $444,021 | $-166,232 | +$40,412 | $-206,644 |
| Year 30 | $691,770 | $-80,882 | +$218,672 | $-299,554 |
Assumptions
Every rent-vs-buy calculator depends on the assumptions. Here are ours — all transparent, none cherry-picked to bias the answer.
This is a rule-of-thumb calculator. Real decisions involve your specific tax bracket, any HOA, mortgage points, closing-cost negotiations, and exact loan terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to rent or buy in Lexington?
In Lexington at current mortgage rates (6.8%), renting and investing the down payment beats buying for the full 30-year horizon. Median monthly ownership costs ($2,104) well exceed median 2BR rent ($1,350), and KY's 0.83% property tax makes the math especially tough.
What's the monthly cost of owning a home in Lexington?
On a median $285K home with 20% down at 6.8% fixed rate: mortgage P&I $1,486, property tax $197 (0.83% of assessed value), homeowners insurance $183 (KY average $2,200/year), and maintenance $238 (1% of home value/year). Total: $2,104/month.
How much down payment do I need to buy in Lexington?
20% down on a median Lexington home ($285K) is $57,000. Plus closing costs of roughly 2.5% ($7,125). Total cash-to-close: about $64,125. FHA loans allow 3.5% down ($9,975) but require mortgage insurance that adds ~$111/month.
What's the 10-year cost of renting vs buying in Lexington?
Over 10 years in Lexington: renters pay $185,715 in cumulative rent but have $221,697 invested (assuming 7% return on the $57,000 down payment + monthly savings). Buyers have paid $301,349 in total ownership costs and hold $188,294 in home equity. Net: renting is ahead by $172,018 at year 10.