9 Reasons to Move to Lexington, KY

Quick Facts About Lexington 

Lively, lovely and full of fun, Lexington, Kentucky, occupies a special place in the hearts, minds and imaginations of citizens of the Bluegrass State. So, what is Lexington, Kentucky known for? Let’s take a look.  

Lavished by limestone walls, this green hill country is grazed by some of the most prized ponies on earth, earning it the title of Horse Capital of the World. But even beyond the lush lawns of Keeneland — the world’s largest thoroughbred auction house — Lexington is layered with warm, cosmopolitan vibes. The city is a major stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and the food scene here is outrageously good, especially for a city this size. It’s hard to say how many people live in Lexington for the whiskey alone, but we’re guessing it’s a sizeable portion of the population. 

A total of 329,437 individuals now live in Lexington–Fayette County, making it about half the size of Louisville — and Kentucky’s second-largest city. The city has grown markedly over the past few years, gaining roughly 7,000 new residents since 2020 and more than 30,000 since 2010. Lexington’s job market is thriving, bolstered by manufacturing stalwarts like Toyota Kentucky and enlivened by the University of Kentucky’s Coldstream Research Campus. Truly, this is a city that is leafing out more each year from its deep roots.  

Income levels in Lexington trend higher than the state average, and at $67,631, the median household earnings in the city exceed state levels.  

With cultural institutions like the Headley-Whitney Museum of Art, the Bluegrass Heritage Museum and historic sites like the Mary Todd Lincoln House, it’s no wonder that Southern Living named it one of the 25 best places to go in the South in 2025.  

Surely, the only thing that could be better than visiting Lexington is living here. If you have your heart set on thoroughbred country, learn more Lexington facts below in our moving guide, including information about the job market, neighborhoods and housing, the climate, the culture and our favorite things about this Kentucky city. 

9 Reasons to Start Living in Lexington 

Thoroughbreds, bourbon and bluegrass hills sound dreamy, but is Lexington a good place to live? Here are our top reasons you should consider moving to this Kentucky city.  

Lexington is Affordable to Live in 

With the national median home value now topping $300,000, cities that offer even modest savings seem hugely desirable, especially a charming one like Lexington.  

While median home values here averaged $272,100 between 2019 and 2023, the cost of living in Lexington is still lower than average, with an index of 91 compared to the national average of 100. Renters, too, can save on housing in Lexington, paying a median of $1,101/month, compared to the $1,348 their national counterparts pay.  

However, income levels are lower than national earnings, with Lexingtonians bringing in just $67,631 per household ($42,272 per capita). But, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, these individual earnings are enough to cover typical household expenses like groceries, medical expenses and transportation. 

In addition to being affordable, there are so many desirable places to live in Lexington. Downtown Lex has a great mix of old and new — you’ll find affordable condos for young professionals, posh penthouses, quirky lofts and nearly everything in between.  

In-town charmers like the Gratz Park Historic District and Chevy Chase have distinctive brick homes with swoon-worthy architectural details — high ceilings, original hardwood floors and built-ins, but they will cost a pretty penny.  

Neighborhoods like Southland offer more acreage and more affordable price points, all with a wider range of styles, from cozy early-20th-century bungalows to mid-century ranches and new construction. Even some of Lexington’s farther-flung districts can be surprisingly walkable, but those looking for lots of room to roam will be delighted by the city’s many suburbs. Frankfort, the state capital, is only a 40-minute drive from the city, so if you need easy access to both cities, you could consider buying in the aptly named suburb of Midway.  

The Economy of Lexington is Stable 

With a low unemployment rate of 3.7% and a diverse portfolio of industries in the region, the Lexington economy is a stable environment for today’s professionals. Trade, transportation and utilities lead the pack, employing 51,900 individuals in the area. Professional and business services, and education and health services each support over 40,000 jobs, while leisure and hospitality and manufacturing each supply over 32,000 positions. But Lexington’s proximity to the capital of Frankfort makes the government the largest employer in the region, providing nearly 60,000 people working in Lexington with jobs.  

So, where do Lexingtonians work? Well, the #1 employer in the area is the University of Kentucky, which employs more than 26,000 individuals and incubates promising tech and biomedical startups in its Coldstream Research Campus. Nearly 10,000 residents work in Toyota Kentucky’s manufacturing plant, while Amazon’s distribution center employs 3,000. Other major employers in Lexington include Baptist Health, the Veterans Medical Center, and Lexmark, whose corporate headquarters are based in Lexington.  

Education is Front and Center 

There’s no question that education in Lexington is one of the city’s hallmarks and highest priorities. Lafayette High School, part of Fayette County Public Schools, ranks 8th in the state according to the U.S. News & World Report, and private academies like the Lexington School and the Sayre School give parents additional options.  

The University of Kentucky is one of the top 100 public schools in the country, and the institution has been integral to the city’s culture for 160 years. On top of the 26,000-plus individuals working at the school, about 36,000 students are enrolled at UK — enough to constitute a city on its own. There are other colleges in Lexington, too, including Transylvania University — the oldest in the state — along with Bluegrass Community & Tech College. Eastern Kentucky University is less than an hour away, and schools in Cincinnati, Columbus, Indianapolis, Knoxville and Nashville are all within a half-day drive.  

There’s Plenty of Outdoor Activities 

From the city to the countryside, Lexington, Kentucky is a city of great natural beauty. If you’re outdoors, you’ll never wonder what to do in Lexington — you’ll only wonder if you have enough time to do it all.  

Because horses are so popular in the region, we’ve given equines their own category below, but when you’re looking to set out on your own two feet, you can’t beat the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. On these 10 exquisite miles of trails, you can meet up to 200 species of birds while you soak in the sights — the Kentucky River, shady woodlands and wildflowers and even historic buildings like the Evans Grist Mill and the homestead of the Prathers, the family who owned the property in the 1800s.  

Wheels and heels are both welcomed on the Lexington’s Legacy Trail — a scenic greenway that can take you all the way from Downtown Lex to the Kentucky Horse Park. No ponies are allowed on the trail, though.  

Flower-lovers will find their favorite pastures at the Arboretum, the State Botanical Garden of Kentucky. Like Raven Run, the gardens are free to explore, and the 100 acres of lush florals are conveniently located right on the campus of UK. Jacobson Park has a fishing dock and marina, where you can rent pedal boats and kayaks. You can cool off in the summer at one of the many aquatic centers across the city, including the Paradise Lagoon at Woodland Park.  

Lexington is the Land of the Horse Lords 

While you don’t have to be a racer or a rider to love Lexington, horses are an integral part of the city’s culture — there are 450+ horse farms in the Bluegrass region — and horseback riding in Lexington is as common as ice skating in Minneapolis.  

At the Kentucky Horse Park, curious newcomers can take a pleasant trolley tour or even a guided ride for beginners. Accomplished equestrians compete regularly on these grounds, and aspiring trailblazers can sign up for one of the park’s youth riding camps. Whispering Woods also offers horsemanship classes and guided trail rides through their serene, forested area.  

For those who prefer the sport of spectating, Keeneland is Lexington’s most famous track. In addition to the spring and fall meets, this premier venue offers unique, behind-the-scenes tours where visitors can observe sunrise training sessions of the thoroughbreds or even get an owner’s experience on race days — everything except the winnings or losses. Red Mile takes the competition beyond the tracks, offering a full gaming and entertainment experience with more than 900 machines on which to press your luck.  

Dynamic Arts, Cultural, Musical and Culinary Scene 

Although it’s not a large city by U.S. standards, you’ll never have to look hard for things to do in Lexington. Longstanding gems like the Lyric Theatre are still performing arts havens (it also has a nice art gallery, too), while relative newcomers like the 21c Museum Hotel, which opened in 2016, bring edgy, contemporary vibes and art to historic buildings.  

It’s not every city that has a full-fledged distillery district, but Lexington does. A drive down Old Frankfort Pike will take you into the heart of bourbon country, where you can sample the heady ferments of James E. Pepper, Ethereal Brewing and Barrel House. Bring a group to the District 7 Social for an all-night hang-out over duckpin bowling and tasty bites, like their signature Kentucky-ano — a local play on a Cubano with smoked pork, smoked bologna, cheese and Carolina gold BBQ sauce.  

And why not let your palate be your Lexington city guide? Much like a barrel of bourbon, Lexington’s food scene improves every year. City standards like Dudley’s on Short still deliver on fine dining while unique spots like the Kentucky Native Café seats diners in a greenhouse setting at Michler’s — a 124-year-old florist — where you can even catch a poetry reading on select Mondays throughout the year. 

If you live in Bluegrass country, it would be a shame not to soak in another of its greatest inventions: Bluegrass music. Catch live performances on Red Barn Radio — truly a throwback to a bygone era — or bring the fam out to the Moondance Amphitheater in Beaumont Center for the Southland Jamboree, a free summer concert series. Annual festivals like the Railbird — an old racing term — bring headliners and up-and-comers to the stage for a genre-twisting weekend of soul-rousing sounds.  

Other Lexington points of interest include the Lexington Children’s Museum, the Headley Whitney Museum of Art and the Manchester Music Hall.  

The Climate is Actually Subtropical 

For those who love Southern climes, but want a real winter and zero hurricanes, Lexington offers the platonic ideal. In these Bluegrass hills, you’ll have an average snowfall of over 15 inches and more than 50 inches of rain — perfect for keeping those lawns green without having to water. All that precipitation keeps the trees happy, too, for leaf-peeping season when the temperatures stay mild for weeks and weeks.  

Summers can be hot and sticky In Lexington, but the rolling terrain and rains keep the average high in the 80s — something your Midwestern neighbors to the north and more southerly kin will both envy. Spring comes early in Lexington, and though summer is often quick on its heels, you won’t mind because the show of flowers will start as early as February and won’t quit until December. Some gardeners can even get away with tender blossoms like gardenias and camellias in their beds.  

To be sure, the weather in Lexington is admirably varied, so if you’re looking for a city that has four true seasons, but none so harsh that you can’t enjoy the outdoors, you’ll likely love the climate of this Kentucky treasure.  

The Community is Close-Knit but Welcoming  

Relocating to Lexington can feel overwhelming, but thankfully, you’ll find a friendly, inclusive community in the city and in the suburbs of Fayette County (see our recommendations on Lexington neighborhoods in the Affordability section above).  

The spirit of Lexington is rooted in tradition but forward-looking and forward-thinking. This is a city that doesn’t shirk Southern hospitality but doesn’t shrink from new ideas, either. We think what you’ll find in Lexington, KY, is a family-friendly, fun-loving college town, full of big hearts and open minds. And that’s certainly something to toast with a fine glass of bourbon. 

Rooted in Tradition, But Still Forward Thinking 

This city’s roots may stretch back to 1775, but the historic city of Lexington is a definitively modern one, savoring traditions in bourbon production and horse-breeding but embracing new cultural modes. You can explore the history of Lexington at notable sites like the Mary Todd Lincoln House and Ashland — the estate of statesperson Henry Clay — and Waveland or take a drive up to Frankfort to visit the Kentucky State Capitol. 

Even some of Lexington’s longest-standing establishments now serve as sites of innovation. None more so than the University of Kentucky, which launched its highly successful tech and business incubator — the Coldstream Research Campus — to foster creative commercial enterprises. The campus is now home to 50+ organizations, including Piramal Pharma, Tempur Sealy and Komatsu, and the city has received accolades for its tech startup scene.  

Plan Your Move to Lexington, KY 

Has Lexington, KY, won you over? If you’re ready to move to the Horse Capital of the World, United Van Lines can help you get there. Almost 1 million families have moved with United since 1928, relocating to cities across the U.S. Now’s the time to find the right professional moving company to help you move to Lexington.  

Get a moving quote now for Lexington, KY. 

Have questions about your upcoming move? Unsure if you’re up to tackling the job on your own? Our moving blog has all the resources you need for a smooth relocation process, with articles like Hiring Movers vs. Moving Yourself: Which is Best? to those on the fundamentals of moving, like How to Pack Dishes. We’ll explain the types of moving quotes you may receive, and look at the average cost of a long-distance move, too.   

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United Van Lines takes pride in being America’s #1 Mover®, and we are eager to help your family move to Lexington, Kentucky, whether you’re moving cross-country or sticking closer to home.  

Moving long distance to Lexington, KY? United Van Lines’ streamlined services can simplify your move to Kentucky from any city in the U.S. Our full-service moving packages can be customized to suit your needs, with packing and unpacking services, vehicle shipping, storage and even removing debris from the move. Working with United’s nationwide network of long-distance movers couldn’t be easier. See how in our step-by-step guide to a seamless long-distance move. 

Moving locally? If you’re making an in-state move to Lexington, United’s interstate Lexington, KY agents/movers provide local moving services independently under their own businesses and brands. 

Still eyeing other cities? Check out the top places to move in the U.S. And, if you need a little inspiration to explore, United Van Lines also has a helpful set of guides to the national parks. 

Get a no-obligation moving quote for Lexington, KY right now.