Washington, D.C. and Fayette County, Kentucky, comprising of Lexington metropolitan area, offer two diverse takes on American life. Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, is bustling with political energy, rich history, global diversity, high job opportunities, and high cost of living. Fayette County, in contrast, is characterized by a more calm and relaxed pace of life, with lower living costs, a peaceful environment, and a strong sense of community. However, it has a lower job market compared to D.C. Let's delve deeper and compare the two in various aspects.
Washington, D.C. has a higher crime rate than Fayette County. The nation's capital has a commitment to improving safety, with numerous law enforcement agencies operating in the area. However, it is recommended to stay vigilant in certain neighborhoods. On the contrary, Fayette enjoys a lower crime rate, making it generally safer, with violent and property crimes below the national average.
Cost of Living
Living in Washington, D.C. is significantly more expensive than in Fayette County, thanks to the higher cost of housing, transportation, and groceries. This is offset somewhat by the higher average incomes in D.C. Fayette, though, offers a less expensive lifestyle with living costs beneath the national average.
Income Tax
In D.C., the income tax rate varies from 4% to 8.95% based on income. Kentucky has a flat 5% income tax rate applicable to residents of Fayette County.
Property Tax
Property tax rates vary across locations and property values in both areas, but generally, D.C. has a lower property tax rate compared to Fayette County.
Sales Tax
D.C. has a general sales tax rate of 5.75%, while Fayette County, Kentucky has a state sales tax of 6%. This difference is not very significant, but it does affect the overall cost of living in both places.
Income
Type
Washington
Fayette
Estimated median household income
$90,088
$60,942
Estimated per capita income
$65,808
$37,011
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
124.2
94.6
If you make $50,000 in Fayette, you will have to make $65,645 in Washington to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Washington, D.C., located along the Potomac River, features flat land interspersed with rolling hills. Fayette County is characterized by its gentle rolling plains, ideal for its horse farms and cattle grazing.
Geographical information
Type
Washington
Fayette
Land area
61.4 sq. miles
284.5 sq. miles
Population density
10,912 people per sq. mile
1,007 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Washington, DC Fayette, KY
Education
Both regions value education. Washington, D.C. is surrounded by renowned colleges and universities, including Georgetown and George Washington University. D.C has an extensive network of public and charter schools. Fayette County also offers quality education with an above-average literacy rate and houses the University of Kentucky, among other institutions.
D.C.'s economy is driven by the federal government, though there are growing sectors such as education, health, and tourism. In contrast, Fayette's economy is diversified, with manufacturing, healthcare, education, and retail trade leading the way.
Biggest Employers
The federal government is the largest employer in D.C., whereas, in Fayette, the University of Kentucky is the largest employer. Both cities, however, have diverse employment scenes with prominent private sector employers.
In Washington (District of Columbia), 90.9% voted for Democrats and 7.3% 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
Washington
Fayette
Washington
Fayette
Washington
Fayette
2020
92.6%
59.4%
5.4%
38.6%
2.0%
1.9%
2016
90.9%
51.3%
4.1%
41.8%
5.0%
6.9%
2012
90.9%
49.3%
7.3%
48.3%
1.8%
2.3%
2008
92.5%
51.7%
6.5%
46.9%
1.0%
1.3%
2004
89.6%
46.3%
9.4%
53.1%
1.0%
0.6%
2000
85.2%
45.0%
9.0%
51.8%
5.9%
3.2%
1996
85.2%
47.1%
9.3%
46.3%
5.5%
6.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Washington
Fayette
Washington
Fayette
CATHOLIC CHURCH
12.6%
8.8%
7.4%
3.0%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
6.2%
0.0%
10.3%
0.0%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
4.4%
13.7%
10.3%
19.5%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
3.1%
0.9%
5.3%
2.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.9%
0.3%
1.8%
1.5%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
0.2%
1.1%
0.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.5%
0.4%
2.1%
1.1%
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.1%
0.3%
0.2%
0.8%
Weather
Washington, D.C. experiences hot and humid summers and chilling winters. Spring and autumn are very pleasant. Fayette, a part of the humid subtropical climate zone, experiences relatively mild winters and hot, humid summers, making it an attractive place for those who enjoy four distinct seasons.
Weather and climate
Type
Washington
Fayette
Temperature - Average
56.4°F
55.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
68.8%
75.8%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
33%
31%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
81%
85%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
48%
54%
Precipitation - Yearly average
42.7 in
45.9 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
32.4 in
35.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
15.9%
14.9%
Sunshine amount - Average
61.5%
59.9%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
21%
25.4%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
66%
66.2%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
45%
40.7%
Wind speed - Average
9.7 mph
8.6 mph
Average climate in Washington, District of Columbia
Average climate in Fayette, Kentucky
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Washington
Fayette
Washington
Fayette
Washington
Fayette
Washington
Fayette
Washington
Washington
Washington
Fayette
Washington
Fayette
2018
88
63
0.32
N/A
11.6
3.1
23.2
31.6
N/A
N/A
16.4
N/A
8.8
9.7
0.8
0.1
2017
84
64
0.32
N/A
12.3
4.9
24.9
32.1
N/A
N/A
16.5
N/A
9.8
7.2
1.0
0.1
2016
98
68
0.43
N/A
14.7
6.6
24.6
33.3
0.002
N/A
17.2
N/A
9.5
6.9
1.0
0.1
2015
91
71
0.34
N/A
14.8
6.7
26.2
31.4
0.002
N/A
17.0
N/A
10.4
7.3
1.3
0.1
2014
85
68
0.33
N/A
11.6
6.8
25.9
34.1
0.002
N/A
17.1
N/A
10.0
7.6
1.0
0.3
2013
88
69
0.34
N/A
11.7
7.3
25.6
31.7
0.002
N/A
17.3
N/A
11.6
10.0
1.0
0.2
2012
103
81
0.58
N/A
15.2
8.1
27.6
34.9
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
10.6
1.6
0.8
2011
105
78
0.67
N/A
15.4
8.3
27.7
34.6
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.4
11.3
3.1
2.1
2010
114
76
0.88
N/A
15.9
9.5
29.3
34.9
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.3
10.0
3.4
2.2
2009
90
75
0.86
N/A
16.2
8.5
24.4
31.1
0.002
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.6
9.2
4.6
2.7
2008
103
72
1.23
N/A
16.2
7.8
25.3
36.4
0.003
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.5
9.1
5.6
2.4
2007
113
92
1.17
N/A
16.8
10.9
27.1
37.9
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.4
12.9
5.1
4.0
2006
114
65
1.11
N/A
17.2
11.8
25.5
32.8
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.9
N/A
4.5
3.8
2005
105
77
0.86
N/A
20.5
12.1
22.7
34.0
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.7
N/A
4.5
4.4
2004
113
60
0.62
N/A
21.3
11.6
20.6
28.6
0.004
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.3
N/A
6.5
3.2
2003
108
67
0.90
N/A
23.6
12.2
20.8
30.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.2
N/A
8.3
3.5
2002
125
76
1.16
0.04
23.7
12.1
25.0
31.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.7
3.6
2001
113
69
1.07
0.07
23.9
13.2
22.0
30.9
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.7
4.4
2000
115
79
1.17
0.14
20.2
13.4
19.1
32.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.2
5.0
Natural disasters
Type
Washington
Fayette
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
110.6%
126.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
42.9%
171.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
19%
14%
Transportation
D.C.’s public transport system includes the efficient Metro and extensive bus routes. It also has multiple airports facilitating national and international flights. Fayette’s transit system is more limited, but it has a public bus service for commuting around the city.
Transport
Type
Washington
Fayette
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
0
FAA registered aircraft
456
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
3
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Washington
Fayette
Bicycle
2%
0.6%
Bus
6.3%
1.2%
Carpooled
7.8%
11.2%
Car alone
62.5%
79.9%
Railroad
0.3%
0%
Streetcar
10.6%
0%
Subway
1.3%
0%
Taxicab
0.8%
0.1%
Walked
5.7%
4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Washington
Fayette
Average
39.2 min
20.2 min
Real Estate
Real Estate in D.C. is high-priced, with median home prices significantly above the national average. Fayette, on the other hand, offers more affordable housing options with prices typically below the national average.
Neighborhoods
D.C. is known for its diverse neighborhoods that appeal to a wide range of demographics. These include historic Georgetown, trendy Adams Morgan, and family-friendly Capitol Hill. Fayette encompasses Lexington city and a handful of small to medium-sized towns that evoke a sense of community and Southern charm.
Houses and residents
Type
Washington
Fayette
Houses
357,482
116,167
Average household size (people)
2.1
2.3
Houses occupied
319,565 (89.4%)
108,288 (93.2%)
Houses occupied by owners
132,936 (41.6%)
59,915 (55.3%)
Houses occupied by renters
186,629 (58.4%)
48,373 (44.7%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,791
$911.33
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$996,150
$229,178
Estimated median house or condo value
$669,900
$242,400
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.1
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
7
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
5,821.9
408.3
Household income disparities
45.7%
46.3%
Housing units without a mortgage
777 (0.8%)
12,909 (23.7%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
8,586 (8.5%)
179 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
100,122 (99.2%)
41,461 (76.3%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
1,057 (1%)
6,586 (12.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
12,793 (12.7%)
5,023 (9.2%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
0.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
16,654
6,793
State government workers
6,699
13,814
Unpaid family workers
580
385
Industries and Occupations
In D.C., occupations are inclined toward the public sector, education, healthcare, law, and technology. In contrast, Fayette County has a diverse job market with healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail being prevalent.
Both Washington, D.C. and Fayette County provide good health care, with numerous hospitals and clinics in both areas. D.C. is home to prestigious institutions like the Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University Hospital. Fayette, although smaller, has the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Washington
Fayette
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Washington, D.C., possesses extensive infrastructure, including multiple airports, extensive metro and bus systems, and numerous interstates. Fayette, while smaller in scale, boasts good infrastructure including the Blue Grass Airport, adequate highways, and a dependable public transportation system.
Infrastructure
Type
Washington
Fayette
TV stations
27
6
Culture and Food
D.C. is rich in diverse food joints that reflect its international culture. High-end restaurants, food trucks, and ethnic cuisine are plentiful. Fayette offers a blend of classic Southern cuisine, gourmet dining and international flavors, with a side serving of Kentucky bourbon.
Sports Teams
D.C. is a major city for sports lovers with teams in all four major leagues. Fayette is home to the widely popular University of Kentucky Wildcats, making it a great place for college sports enthusiasts.
Washington, DC
Fayette, KY
Washington, DC and 
Fayette, KY : 409.1 miles
