01 · the cities
El Paso
El Paso has the Franklin Mountains running right through the middle of the city (which is rare), with hiking trails inside city limits and the desert wide open just past the suburbs. The Mexican food is exceptional in ways that the rest of Texas doesn't quite match (it's true regional border food). Ciudad Juarez is literally next door across the Rio Grande. The light at sunset is unreal.
full dispatch→Lexington
Lexington is the Thoroughbred horse capital of the world, with bluegrass-fed horse farms surrounding the city in white-fenced perfection. Keeneland racetrack is one of the most beautiful in the world. The bourbon trail starts right here. Downtown is small but tightening up nicely with food and bars. The University of Kentucky's blue bleeds through everything.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,473/mo
$1,488/mo
Median home price
Median home price
$231k
$324k
$93k more than El Paso
State income tax
State income tax
0%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,860/mo
$6,470/mo
El Paso has $390/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
222 days
171 days
51 fewer than El Paso
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
60 days
1 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
1 days
19 days
days below 20°F per year
El Paso has 59 more days above 95°F each year than Lexington. Lexington drops below 20°F on 18 more days per year than El Paso.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
65 / 100
60 / 100
5.0 pts behind El Paso
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
13 routes
13 routes
Metro size
Metro size
872k metro
520k metro
El Paso has 1.4x fewer events per month than Lexington.
the verdict
6
El Paso
categories won
1
Lexington
categories won
El Paso wins this comparison, leading on money and weather.
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