01 · the cities
San Diego
San Diego is the city most Californians secretly wish they lived in: 70°F, sunny, and a beach for every mood. Fish tacos are religion, Balboa Park is bigger than Central Park and packed with museums, and the craft beer scene is one of the best in the country. The zoo is world-famous and the burritos are aggressively underrated. Even the freeways feel relaxed here.
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
$2,890/mo
$1,488/mo
$1,402/mo less than San Diego (94%)
Median home price
Median home price
$1.0M
$324k
$686k less than San Diego
State income tax
State income tax
9.3%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$4,668/mo
$6,470/mo
Lexington has $1,802/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
332 days
171 days
161 fewer than San Diego
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
1 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
19 days
days below 20°F per year
Lexington drops below 20°F on 19 more days per year than San Diego.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
75 / 100
60 / 100
15.0 pts behind San Diego
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
55 routes
13 routes
42 fewer direct routes than San Diego
Metro size
Metro size
3.3M metro
520k metro
San Diego has 4.1x more events per month than Lexington.
the verdict
4
San Diego
categories won
4
Lexington
categories won
San Diego wins on weather and lifestyle, Lexington wins on money. Dead even.
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