Deciding whether to live Bronx, NY, or Fayette, KY, involves an examination of multiple facets of quality of life including safety, climate, living expenses, and more. Each area has unique characteristics, strengths, and drawbacks, making certain aspects appealing to different individuals. From the fast-paced, urban lifestyle of Bronx to the calm, rural ambiance of Fayette, this comparative analysis is here to help you make an informed decision.
When considering crime and safety, the Bronx, a borough of NYC, tends to have a higher crime rate compared to Fayette. However, the NYPD has introduced multiple crime prevention and reduction strategies, which have helped reduce crime levels. On the other hand, Fayette, located in Kentucky, generally experiences lower crime rates and offers a more peaceful environment.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in the Bronx is significantly higher than in Fayette. Housing, groceries, and general living expenses tend to be more expensive in New York City. Conversely, Fayette has a lower cost of living that accommodates a wider range of budgets.
Income Tax
New York generally has a higher rate of state income tax which includes an additional city income tax for New York City residents. On the flip side, Kentucky has a lower state income tax meaning Fayette residents are taxed at a lower rate compared to Bronx residents.
Property Tax
Property taxes in the Bronx are infamously high compared to many parts of the country. Conversely, property taxes in Fayette are significantly lower, allowing for home ownership to be more accessible to a wider demographic.
Sales Tax
Both New York State and Kentucky impose a sales tax on tangible personal property, producing, utilities, and certain services. However, in the Bronx, the combined city and state sales tax rate is higher (8.875%) compared to Fayette's state and local tax rate (6%).
Income
Type
Bronx
Fayette
Estimated median household income
$43,011
$60,942
Estimated per capita income
$23,354
$37,011
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
172.8
94.6
If you make $50,000 in Fayette, you will have to make $91,332 in Bronx to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
The Bronx, surrounded by water on most sides, offers numerous public parks and green spaces, the most well-known being the Bronx Zoo and Botanical Gardens. In comparison, Fayette is filled with sprawling farmlands and rural landscapes, and is also part of the larger Bluegrass Region known for its fertile soil.
Geographical information
Type
Bronx
Fayette
Land area
42 sq. miles
284.5 sq. miles
Population density
32,928 people per sq. mile
1,007 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Bronx, NY Fayette, KY
Education
New York provides ample high-quality education opportunities from K-12 all the way to university and beyond, including numerous prestigious institutions. Fayette also has a decent education system, including the University of Kentucky, though opportunities are fewer due to its smaller population size.
The Bronx boasts a diverse economy with sectors such as healthcare, education, and retail trade leading the borough's industry. On the other hand, Fayette's economy is centered around agriculture, higher education, and service-based industries.
Biggest Employers
In the Bronx, some of the biggest employers include Montefiore Medical Center and the City University of New York. Conversely, in Fayette, the University of Kentucky and Fayette County Public Schools are among the top employers, indicating a more education-focused economy.
In Bronx (Bronx County), 91.9% voted for Democrats and 8.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Fayette (Fayette County), 49.3% voted for Democrats and 48.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Bronx
Fayette
Bronx
Fayette
Bronx
Fayette
2020
83.7%
59.4%
16.0%
38.6%
0.3%
1.9%
2016
88.6%
51.3%
9.5%
41.8%
2.0%
6.9%
2012
91.9%
49.3%
8.1%
48.3%
0.0%
2.3%
2008
89.0%
51.7%
11.0%
46.9%
0.0%
1.3%
2004
82.9%
46.3%
16.5%
53.1%
0.6%
0.6%
2000
86.5%
45.0%
11.8%
51.8%
1.7%
3.2%
1996
85.8%
47.1%
10.5%
46.3%
3.7%
6.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Bronx
Fayette
Bronx
Fayette
CATHOLIC CHURCH
25.5%
8.8%
11.5%
3.0%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.8%
0.2%
3.9%
0.8%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.7%
0.0%
4.4%
0.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.7%
0.3%
6.5%
1.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.9%
3.7%
2.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.2%
0.4%
2.6%
1.1%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
13.7%
2.4%
19.5%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.0%
0.3%
0.2%
0.8%
Weather
The Bronx has a distinct four-season climate, with hot, humid summers and cold, often snow-filled winters. This allows for a variety of seasonal activities like ice skating in winter and beach trips in summer. Fayette, KY, has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and moderately cold winters, with less snowfall than the Bronx.
Weather and climate
Type
Bronx
Fayette
Temperature - Average
54.7°F
55.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
67.2%
75.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
26.4%
31%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
75.6%
85%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49.2%
54%
Precipitation - Yearly average
47 in
45.9 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
54.5 in
35.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.5%
14.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
59.9%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
25.4%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
66.2%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
40.7%
Wind speed - Average
10.7 mph
8.6 mph
Average climate in Bronx, New York
Average climate in Fayette, Kentucky
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Bronx
Fayette
Bronx
Fayette
Bronx
Fayette
Bronx
Fayette
Bronx
Bronx
Bronx
Fayette
Bronx
Fayette
2018
102
63
0.31
N/A
15.8
3.1
24.4
31.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.4
9.7
0.6
0.1
2017
100
64
0.04
N/A
15.7
4.9
24.6
32.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.0
7.2
0.6
0.1
2016
98
68
0.30
N/A
16.4
6.6
24.6
33.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.2
6.9
0.8
0.1
2015
105
71
0.28
N/A
18.0
6.7
23.6
31.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.6
7.3
1.4
0.1
2014
99
68
0.32
N/A
18.0
6.8
23.6
34.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.4
7.6
1.7
0.3
2013
103
69
0.39
N/A
18.9
7.3
23.5
31.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.3
10.0
2.1
0.2
2012
104
81
0.44
N/A
18.8
8.1
23.9
34.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.7
10.6
3.1
0.8
2011
113
78
0.46
N/A
20.9
8.3
22.1
34.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.6
11.3
4.5
2.1
2010
113
76
0.53
N/A
20.2
9.5
23.7
34.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.8
10.0
4.7
2.2
2009
107
75
0.53
N/A
22.3
8.5
19.5
31.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.8
9.2
5.4
2.7
2008
114
72
0.53
N/A
23.3
7.8
19.9
36.4
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.1
9.1
5.9
2.4
2007
122
92
0.60
N/A
24.6
10.9
19.1
37.9
0.016
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.2
12.9
7.0
4.0
2006
120
65
0.50
N/A
25.0
11.8
18.9
32.8
0.018
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.8
N/A
7.0
3.8
2005
115
77
0.60
N/A
27.0
12.1
17.8
34.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.3
4.4
2004
109
60
0.62
N/A
25.6
11.6
16.7
28.6
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.8
3.2
2003
110
67
0.75
N/A
27.4
12.2
17.1
30.3
0.022
N/A
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.9
3.5
2002
124
76
0.67
0.04
27.9
12.1
17.4
31.3
0.008
N/A
25.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.6
3.6
2001
126
69
0.66
0.07
30.0
13.2
17.8
30.9
0.020
N/A
22.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.0
4.4
2000
115
79
0.68
0.14
29.4
13.4
16.0
32.7
0.022
N/A
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.2
5.0
Natural disasters
Type
Bronx
Fayette
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
58.3%
126.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
31%
171.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
14%
14%
Transportation
Commuting in the Bronx is made easy thanks to the efficient New York City subway system, buses, and taxis. Fayette offers less in public transit, focusing more on commuting by car with less traffic compared to New York City.
Transport
Type
Bronx
Fayette
Amtrak stations nearby
3
0
FAA registered aircraft
39
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Bronx
Fayette
Bicycle
0.2%
0.6%
Bus
15.6%
1.2%
Carpooled
9.3%
11.2%
Car alone
27%
79.9%
Railroad
2%
0%
Streetcar
0.2%
0%
Subway
34.6%
0%
Taxicab
1.3%
0.1%
Walked
7.2%
4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Bronx
Fayette
Average
44.2 min
20.2 min
Real Estate
Real estate in the Bronx is more expensive, with typical urban housing such as apartments and condos. Fayette boasts a more affordable housing market, with predominately single-family homes and a bit of countryside living.
Neighborhoods
The Bronx is home to numerous neighborhoods each with their unique characteristics—from the southern areas filled with art deco architecture to the northern parts with wide open green spaces. Fayette consists of a mix of traditional neighborhoods, rural areas, and collegiate communities surrounding the University of Kentucky.
Houses and residents
Type
Bronx
Fayette
Houses
490,659
116,167
Average household size (people)
2.8
2.3
Houses occupied
463,212 (94.4%)
108,288 (93.2%)
Houses occupied by owners
90,522 (19.5%)
59,915 (55.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
372,690 (80.5%)
48,373 (44.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,273
$911.33
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$708,992
$229,178
Estimated median house or condo value
$465,000
$242,400
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.1
7
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
11,675
408.3
Household income disparities
50.2%
46.3%
Housing units without a mortgage
12,021 (34%)
12,909 (23.7%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
105 (0.3%)
179 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
23,339 (66%)
41,461 (76.3%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
2,053 (5.8%)
6,586 (12.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
2,159 (6.1%)
5,023 (9.2%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.4%
0.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.7%
0.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Bronx
Fayette
One, detached
5.8%
57.4%
One, attached
5.4%
4.6%
Two
8.4%
5.3%
3 or 4
7.4%
5.5%
5 to 9
3.9%
7.3%
10 to 19
6.3%
9.2%
20 to 49
25.4%
4.1%
50 or more
37.2%
5.2%
Mobile homes
0.1%
1.4%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
16,572
6,793
State government workers
14,515
13,814
Unpaid family workers
1,000
385
Industries and Occupations
In the Bronx, health care and social assistance industries dominate, followed by retail trade and educational services. In Fayette, educational services, healthcare, and retail trade also reign. Both cities offer a range of job opportunities, though the variety and types of jobs vary based on the urban and rural nature of the cities.
The Bronx enjoys access to some of the nation's top healthcare facilities, including Montefiore Medical Center and Bronx-Lebanon Hospital. The University of Kentucky's Albert B. Chandler Hospital serves Fayette County, providing excellent healthcare services despite the area's more rural setting.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Bronx
Fayette
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
The Bronx has well-developed infrastructure, given its proximation to Manhattan, including a robust public transportation system. Fayette, while possessing solid infrastructure, doesn't feature the same array of public transit options but offers more open spaces and less traffic congestion.
Infrastructure
Type
Bronx
Fayette
TV stations
30
6
Culture and Food
The Bronx is considered a cultural melting pot, proud of its immigrant-rich neighborhoods that offer diverse cuisine, museums, and festivals. Fayette offers a blend of Southern and Midwestern American culture, with a rich history in bourbon and horse racing.
Sports Teams
New York is known for its zealous sports culture, with the Bronx being home to the legendary NY Yankees. Fayette, though smaller, has a deeply rooted college basketball culture, with the University of Kentucky's Wildcats team being particularly popular.
Bronx, NY
Fayette, KY
Bronx, NY and 
Fayette, KY : 598.8 miles
