01 · the cities
Louisville
Louisville is bourbon, the Derby, Muhammad Ali, and the Hot Brown sandwich (an open-faced turkey-and-cheese situation invented at the Brown Hotel). Derby week is a citywide event where people dress like they're at a wedding for a horse. The Highlands neighborhood has the best dive bars, the Urban Bourbon Trail downtown takes a full weekend. Pronounce it 'Loo-uh-vul' and you'll fit in.
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
$1,368/mo
$1,488/mo
$120/mo more than Louisville (8%)
Median home price
Median home price
$282k
$324k
$42k more than Louisville
State income tax
State income tax
4.5%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,590/mo
$6,470/mo
Louisville has $120/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
181 days
171 days
10 fewer than Louisville
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
1 days
1 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
15 days
19 days
days below 20°F per year
Louisville edges ahead on pleasant days, but both cities have comparable comfort overall.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
54 / 100
60 / 100
6.0 pts ahead of Louisville
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
22 routes
13 routes
9 fewer direct routes than Louisville
Metro size
Metro size
1.4M metro
520k metro
Louisville has 2.2x more events per month than Lexington.
the verdict
5
Louisville
categories won
1
Lexington
categories won
Louisville wins this comparison, leading on money and weather.
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