The comparison between Austin, Texas, and Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky, reveals varied aspects of lifestyles, costs, and opportunities. Austin is a lively city with a thriving economy, while Lexington-Fayette offers a more relaxed setting with a focus on horse racing and bourbon. The two cities differ significantly in terms of climate, with Austin enjoying a warm subtropical climate and Lexington having a humid continental climate. Depending on one's preferences and lifestyle, one might find one city more appealing than the other. This analysis provides a thorough comparison of both cities in various aspects.
Distance between
Austin, TX and
Lexington-Fayette, KY : 925.3 miles
Austin's population is larger by 200%. Its population has grown by 307,615 people (46.9%) since 2000. The population of Lexington-Fayette has grown by 61,281 people (23.5%) during that time.
Austin, being a larger and more populated city, has a higher crime rate than Lexington-Fayette. However, it's important to note that crime rates can vary greatly within cities, and areas with higher foot traffic and nightlife activity tend to experience more incidences. Lexington-Fayette enjoys a lower crime rate overall, but it doesn't mean it's entirely devoid of such incidents. Both cities have made considerable efforts to reduce crime and enhance safety. Always, it's advisable for residents and visitors alike to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Cost of Living
Life in Austin is generally more expensive than in Lexington-Fayette. Housing in Austin is particularly costly, although salaries tend to be higher, which can help offset the increased living expenses. Food, transportation, and healthcare are also more expensive in Austin than in Lexington, where the cost of living is considerably lower due to lower housing costs and a slower pace of growth.
Income Tax
Texas does not have a state income tax, so Austin residents do not pay state income tax. However, in Kentucky, residents do pay state income tax, with rates ranging from 2% to 5%.
Property Tax
Property tax varies significantly between the two locations. Austin has a relatively high property tax rate compared to the national average, while Lexington-Fayette's property taxes are relatively low.
Sales Tax
In terms of sales tax, Texas has a higher rate, with Austin applying an 8.25% combined city and state sales tax. In contrast, Lexington-Fayette has a lower sales tax rate, with Kentucky imposing a 6% sales tax statewide.
Income
Type
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Estimated median household income
$79,542
$60,942
Estimated per capita income
$53,937
$37,011
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.4
89.3
If you make $50,000 in Lexington-Fayette, you will have to make $53,975 in Austin to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Austin is located in the heart of Texas hill country, offering natural beauty and numerous outdoor activities. Lexington is known for its lush bluegrass meadows and is surrounded by horse farms and bourbon distilleries.
Both Austin and Lexington-Fayette boast strong educational systems. Schools in Austin are of high quality, and the city is home to the University of Texas, noted as one of the highest-ranking public universities in the country. Lexington also offers excellent education services, including the University of Kentucky, which offers a wide range of programs.
Austin has a diverse and robust economy with multiple opportunities for job seekers. The city is known for having a thriving technology sector with companies such as Dell, IBM, and Apple having a significant presence. Lexington, being smaller, has fewer opportunities but maintains a steady economy supported majorly by the horse industry, education, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Biggest Employers
In Austin, some of the biggest employers include Dell, University of Texas, and the federal and state government. In Lexington-Fayette, the University of Kentucky, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, and healthcare providers like the Lexington Clinic and Saint Joseph Hospital, are among the largest employers.
There were 4,180 building permits issued in Austin in 2012 (2467 more than in 2011) compared to 792 building permits issued in Lexington-Fayette in 2012 (279 more than in 2011).
In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Lexington-Fayette (Fayette County), 49.3% voted for Democrats and 48.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
2020
71.7%
59.4%
26.5%
38.6%
1.8%
1.9%
2016
65.8%
51.3%
27.2%
41.8%
7.0%
6.9%
2012
60.2%
49.3%
36.2%
48.3%
3.6%
2.3%
2008
63.8%
51.7%
34.4%
46.9%
1.8%
1.3%
2004
56.1%
46.3%
42.1%
53.1%
1.8%
0.6%
2000
41.7%
45.0%
47.0%
51.8%
11.3%
3.2%
1996
52.4%
47.1%
40.0%
46.3%
7.7%
6.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
CATHOLIC CHURCH
17.3%
8.8%
4.5%
3.0%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
8.0%
13.7%
22.8%
19.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.4%
0.9%
2.8%
2.3%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
0.2%
0.7%
0.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.4%
2.5%
1.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.3%
2.1%
1.1%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.2%
0.3%
0.6%
0.8%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
0.3%
1.0%
1.5%
VINEYARD USA
0.0%
0.4%
0.3%
0.4%
Weather
Being located in Texas, Austin enjoys a warm, subtropical climate characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. Those who love the heat would undoubtedly find Austin enjoyable, but it might be uncomfortable for those accustomed to cooler climates. Lexington-Fayette, on the other hand, has a humid continental climate. The city experiences all four seasons, including hot, humid summers, and wet but usually mild winters. Lexington's weather might be more appealing to people who appreciate a seasonal change.
Weather and climate
Type
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Temperature - Average
68.5°F
55.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.2%
75.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
40%
31%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
89%
85%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49%
54%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.7 in
45.9 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.4 in
35.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.3%
14.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.3%
59.9%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
25.5%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
66.2%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
40.7%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
8.6 mph
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Average climate in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM25
SO2
Year
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
2018
76
63
N/A
N/A
4.9
3.1
26.7
31.6
8.7
9.7
0.2
0.1
2017
76
64
N/A
N/A
4.6
4.9
29.7
32.1
8.3
7.2
0.3
0.1
2016
71
68
N/A
N/A
4.2
6.6
29.5
33.3
8.2
6.9
0.2
0.1
2015
78
71
N/A
N/A
4.4
6.7
28.9
31.4
8.6
7.3
0.3
0.1
2014
74
68
N/A
N/A
5.2
6.8
28.3
34.1
8.7
7.6
0.5
0.3
2013
78
69
0.09
N/A
5.5
7.3
29.5
31.7
8.6
10.0
0.5
0.2
2012
86
81
0.13
N/A
5.5
8.1
30.1
34.9
8.6
10.6
N/A
0.8
2011
83
78
0.11
N/A
2.6
8.3
33.0
34.6
9.1
11.3
N/A
2.1
2010
77
76
0.05
N/A
3.2
9.5
29.4
34.9
8.8
10.0
N/A
2.2
2009
76
75
0.05
N/A
2.6
8.5
29.7
31.1
9.0
9.2
N/A
2.7
2008
81
72
0.12
N/A
3.2
7.8
30.7
36.4
9.7
9.1
N/A
2.4
2007
82
92
0.12
N/A
3.1
10.9
27.1
37.9
9.8
12.9
N/A
4.0
2006
89
65
0.14
N/A
3.8
11.8
31.3
32.8
10.0
N/A
0.2
3.8
2005
92
77
0.15
N/A
4.4
12.1
29.0
34.0
10.7
N/A
0.2
4.4
2004
74
60
0.16
N/A
3.3
11.6
26.8
28.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.2
2003
85
67
0.26
N/A
4.2
12.2
28.9
30.3
N/A
N/A
0.1
3.5
2002
83
76
0.33
0.04
3.9
12.1
27.2
31.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.6
2001
83
69
0.31
0.07
4.2
13.2
25.5
30.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.4
2000
86
79
0.28
0.14
4.7
13.4
27.8
32.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.0
Natural disasters
Type
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
137.9%
126.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
80.4%
171.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
29%
14%
Transportation
Austin provides better options for public transportation with Capitol Metro providing bus and light rail transit services. However, traffic can be congested during peak hours. Lexington's Lextran also provides bus services, but due to the city's more compact layout, commuting times are shorter, and traffic is usually less of a concern.
Transport
Type
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
911
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
21
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Bicycle
0.8%
0.6%
Bus
1.5%
1.2%
Carpooled
7.9%
8.3%
Car alone
85.9%
86.5%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
2%
2.6%
Average travel time to work
Type
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Average
29.9 min
26.5 min
Other means
22.7 min
20.2 min
Public transportation
37.9 min
35 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Average
1.1
1.1
Drove alone
91.2%
90.6%
In 2 person carpool
6.3%
7.7%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
1.2%
In 4 person carpool
0.6%
0.3%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.1%
0.1%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Austin's real estate market is hotter, with home prices being significantly higher than in Lexington. The demand for housing in Austin continues to grow due to the city's burgeoning tech industry. In contrast, Lexington's real estate market is more accessible and prices tend to be lower.
Neighborhoods
Both cities offer diverse neighborhoods catering to different lifestyles. Austin, with its vibrant music scene and bustling tech industry, provides plenty of lively and hip neighborhoods. Lexington, known as the "Horse Capital of the World," offers greener, more relaxed neighborhoods with a small-town feel.
Houses and residents
Type
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
Houses
469,156
147,590
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.3
Median year apartment built
1997
1983
Median year house/condo built
1988
1985
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.1 years
12 years
Houses occupied
449,399 (95.8%)
139,303 (94.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
196,458 (43.7%)
75,129 (53.9%)
Houses occupied by renters
252,941 (56.3%)
64,174 (46.1%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,286
$1,514
Median monthly housing costs
$1,521
$1,026
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$549,769
$229,178
Estimated median house or condo value
$482,900
$242,400
Median numbers of rooms
4.4
5.4
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.4
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
7
Median house price - detached houses
$595,996
$300,664
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$393,984
$297,942
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$262,826
$165,223
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$576,111
$179,160
Median house price - mobile homes
$56,102
$37,529
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$459,657
$232,720
Median house price - All housing units
$571,154
$289,099
Median house age
28
37
Renting percentage
54.9%
44.1%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,865.3
518.7
House value disparities
28.4%
33%
Household income disparities
44.8%
46.3%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$141,177
$95,171
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$86,430
$74,841
Housing units without a mortgage
1,799 (1.3%)
2,236 (4.2%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,421 (4.8%)
6,457 (12.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
132,628 (98.7%)
51,182 (95.8%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
206 (0.2%)
156 (0.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
8,515 (6.3%)
7,551 (14.1%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
9
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.9%
1.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.6%
0.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
One, detached
43.1%
58.7%
One, attached
5.2%
6.4%
Two
2.4%
3.0%
3 or 4
4.1%
4.9%
5 to 9
7.2%
7.5%
10 to 19
11.0%
8.4%
20 to 49
8.9%
4.3%
50 or more
17.2%
5.6%
Mobile homes
1.0%
1.3%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
38,777
9,814
State government workers
46,229
15,501
Unpaid family workers
102
346
Industries and Occupations
Austin's economy is driven by the high-tech industry, with a significant number of jobs in the software development and semiconductor manufacturing sectors. The city also has a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. Lexington, however, has a diversified economy with major industries including education, healthcare, technology, and the equine industry.
Both cities offer quality healthcare, but Austin has more hospitals and better access to specialized care due to its larger size. Lexington has a smaller number of hospitals, but they provide comprehensive healthcare services.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Austin boasts better infrastructure due to its larger size and developed economy. Road networks, hospitals, educational establishments, sports facilities -- Austin being a major city offers it all. Lexington, on the other hand, has a more rural feel and the infrastructure to match it, but nonetheless, it also offers all basic needs for its residents.
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Austin
Lexington-Fayette
1999
4,733
756
2000
2,950
655
2001
2,038
568
2002
1,772
463
2003
2,213
529
2004
2,458
777
2005
3,121
997
2006
3,367
751
2007
2,560
517
2008
1,747
325
2009
1,067
230
Culture and Food
Austin is known for its vibrant culture centered around live music, making it a hot spot for music enthusiasts. The city is also renowned for its Tex-Mex and barbecue food. Conversely, Lexington has a rich Southern culture with a culinary scene dominated by hot browns, mutton, and mint juleps.
Sports Teams
Austin is home to the Austin FC of the Major League Soccer, while Lexington is a hub for college sports with the University of Kentucky Wildcats being the main attraction.
Austin, TX
Lexington-Fayette, KY
Austin, TX and 
Lexington-Fayette, KY : 925.3 miles
