Love Lexington? It’s one of the best places in the country to live, US News & World says
Lexington is among the 25 best places to live in 2024 in terms of job opportunities, cost of living and overall quality of life, according to U.S. News and World Report.
By analyzing 150 major cities and surveying some 3,000 people about their preferences, U.S. News placed Lexington at No. 15 on its list. It praised Lexington for its comparatively low cost of living and strong economy, consistently fed by the horse racing industry and the University of Kentucky.
Here’s a look at what made Lexington stand out and how it compares to other cities on the list, many of which dot the South and Midwest and previously went unrecognized by U.S. News.
What made Lexington stand out?
Lexington got praise for its buzzing bourbon and college basketball culture, along with the picturesque horse farms that surround it, as to be expected for a city that conceives of itself as the Horse Capital of the World.
Still, some of Lexington’s less flashy strengths truly set it apart, according to U.S. News, which gave the city high marks for its overall quality of life, job market and value.
“Lexington fared well across our rankings for quality of life (No. 29) and job market (No. 41), but what really propelled Lexington to the top of our rankings was value (No. 11),” U.S. News said in its ranking. “Being a college town, home to the University of Kentucky, Lexington has a lot of renters who pay relatively low living costs, contributing to a ranking of No. 13 for housing affordability.”
U.S. News put Lexington’s median household income at $76,765, though the U.S. Census Bureau reports that amount at $62,908, according to 2022 American Community Survey estimates.
Recent data from the Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator’s office also put the median home price for the month of April at $310,000, contrary to the amount U.S. News reported: $268,163. The Herald-Leader has reached out to U.S. News for comment about the discrepancy.
U.S. News isn’t the only publication trumpeting Lexington as a top destination recently. Earlier this spring, Southern Living named Lexington among its 25 best cities in the South, and a local bar, Lost Palm, was named the most beautiful restaurant in Kentucky earlier this month.
How does Lexington compare to the other cities?
At No. 15 on the list, Lexington fell just behind Madison, Wis., and just above Oklahoma City.
Here’s a look at the 25 best places to live in 2024, according to U.S. News and World Report:
Naples, Fla.
Boise, Idaho
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Greenville, S.C.
Charlotte, N.C.
Raleigh, N.C.
Huntsville, Ala.
Virginia Beach, Va.
Austin, Texas
Boulder, Colo.
Sarasota, Fla.
Green Bay, Wisc.
Charleston, S.C.
Madison, Wisc.
Lexington, Ky.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Asheville, N.C.
Omaha, Neb.
Ann Arbor, Mich.
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Fayetteville, Ark.
San Francisco, Calif.
Greensboro, N.C.
Lincoln, Neb.
South Bend, Ind.
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