Lexington is Kentucky’s second-largest city and one of the most livable mid-size metros in the South. Home to the University of Kentucky, a thriving horse industry, and a growing tech and healthcare sector, Lexington offers big-city amenities at a fraction of Nashville or Louisville prices. Property taxes average around 0.80% effective rate — well below the national average and about one-third of comparable Illinois or Ohio communities. This guide ranks all 93 Lexington and Fayette County neighborhoods by school rating and crime grade, with median prices at every tier.
Elite Tier: 9/10 School Rating
Ten Lexington neighborhoods earn the top school rating of 9/10 — one of the largest concentrations of elite school zones in Kentucky. Most carry A or A- crime grades. The price range is wide: from $250,313 at Gratz Park to $998,153 at Chevy Chase, giving buyers multiple entry points into top-tier school zones.
Gratz Park ($250k) is one of the most remarkable value finds in Kentucky — a 9/10 school zone at a median price most buyers would expect to get a 6/10. It’s a historic district near downtown Lexington with older homes and a walkable character. Ashland Park ($412k) and Beaumont ($478k) are the most popular 9/10 neighborhoods for families relocating to Lexington — newer construction, strong HOAs, and top-rated school zones. Chevy Chase ($998k) and Greenbrier ($689k) are the prestige addresses, with historic architecture and some of the highest prices in the metro.
Strong Tier: 8/10 School Rating
Twenty neighborhoods earn an 8/10 school rating in Lexington — strong, above-average school performance across Fayette County. Crime grades in this tier range from A- to B. Prices span from $239k to $680k, making this the most competitive and value-rich tier in the Lexington market.
Hamburg ($239k) stands out as the best value in the 8/10 school tier — one of the few neighborhoods in any Kentucky city where you can get an 8/10 school rating under $240k. Lansdowne Shadeland East ($345k, A-) combines strong schools with one of the best crime grades in the 8/10 tier. Tates Creek ($350k) is a perennial top pick for families relocating to Lexington from the Midwest.
Solid Tier: 7/10 School Rating
Twenty-seven Lexington neighborhoods earn a 7/10 school rating — above-average for the region and a strong family option. Prices in this tier range from $206k to $540k, with the majority clustering in the $280k–$380k range.
Showing top 12 of 27 neighborhoods in this tier — see the full table below for all.
Best Value: 8–9/10 Schools Under $420k
For buyers who want top-tier school ratings without the Chevy Chase price tag, these neighborhoods combine 8/10 or 9/10 school ratings with median prices under $420,000.
Full Rankings Table — All 93 Neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | School Rating | Crime Grade | Median Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gratz Park | 9/10 | A- | $250,313 |
| Ashland Park | 9/10 | A- | $412,357 |
| Beaumont | 9/10 | A | $478,000 |
| Shadeland | 9/10 | A | $562,000 |
| Bonita | 9/10 | A | $577,000 |
| Fairway | 9/10 | A- | $625,282 |
| Greenbrier | 9/10 | A- | $689,000 |
| Chevy Chase | 9/10 | A- | $998,153 |
| Lakeview Estates | 9/10 | A | $1,350,980 |
| Shriners | 9/10 | A- | $1,518,222 |
| Hamburg | 8/10 | B+ | $239,000 |
| Lansdowne Shadeland East | 8/10 | A- | $344,880 |
| Tates Creek | 8/10 | B+ | $349,878 |
| Palomar | 8/10 | A- | $356,000 |
| Centerville Nihizertown | 8/10 | A | $358,000 |
| Bell Court | 8/10 | A- | $388,865 |
| Firebrook | 8/10 | A- | $405,000 |
| Aylesford Place | 8/10 | A- | $414,856 |
| Hollywood | 8/10 | B+ | $428,000 |
| Jimtown | 8/10 | B+ | $434,000 |
| Paynes Depot | 8/10 | A | $445,000 |
| Lansdowne | 8/10 | B+ | $476,084 |
| Donerail | 8/10 | A- | $489,000 |
| Mentelle | 8/10 | A- | $489,830 |
| Loradale | 8/10 | A- | $500,000 |
| Glendover | 8/10 | A- | $526,817 |
| Lansdowne Merrick | 8/10 | A- | $527,317 |
| Coletown | 8/10 | A- | $532,000 |
| Southern Heights | 8/10 | B+ | $609,788 |
| Hartland | 8/10 | B+ | $719,750 |
| McConnell's Trace | 7/10 | B | $206,000 |
| Hill N Dale | 7/10 | B | $213,000 |
| Boone Creek East | 7/10 | B+ | $242,000 |
| Southwest Lexington | 7/10 | B | $252,000 |
| Elizabeth Street | 7/10 | B | $255,000 |
| Sandersville | 7/10 | B | $275,000 |
| Waterford-South Point | 7/10 | B+ | $280,000 |
| Woodward Heights | 7/10 | B+ | $281,000 |
| Gleneagles | 7/10 | B+ | $289,000 |
| Centerville | 7/10 | B+ | $294,000 |
| Gainesway | 7/10 | B | $297,347 |
| Yarnallton | 7/10 | B+ | $305,000 |
| Picadome | 7/10 | B+ | $318,639 |
| Zandale | 7/10 | B | $319,889 |
| Stonewall | 7/10 | B+ | $322,000 |
| Historic South Hill | 7/10 | B+ | $334,883 |
| Kenwick | 7/10 | B | $334,883 |
| Mortonsville | 7/10 | B+ | $350,000 |
| Open Gates | 7/10 | B | $354,877 |
| Plantation | 7/10 | B | $357,326 |
| Masterson Station | 7/10 | B | $359,026 |
| Rosemill | 7/10 | B | $397,812 |
| Wellington | 7/10 | B | $406,359 |
| Historic Western Suburb | 7/10 | B+ | $454,792 |
| Harrods Hill | 7/10 | B+ | $488,830 |
| Andover Forest | 7/10 | B+ | $634,279 |
| Downtown Lexington | 7/10 | B | $944,671 |
| Winburn-Griffin Gate | 6/10 | B- | $163,000 |
| Patchen Woods Chippen Dale | 6/10 | B- | $165,000 |
| Stoneybrook Brigadoon | 6/10 | B- | $166,000 |
| Red Mile | 6/10 | C+ | $174,000 |
| Belleau Wood | 6/10 | B | $194,000 |
| Deerfield | 6/10 | B- | $204,929 |
| Greendale | 6/10 | B | $211,000 |
| Idle Hour | 6/10 | B | $212,000 |
| West Lexington | 6/10 | B | $214,000 |
| Meadowthorpe | 6/10 | B | $220,000 |
| Garden Springs | 6/10 | B | $238,167 |
| Southeastern Hills | 6/10 | B- | $239,417 |
| Bryan Station | 6/10 | C+ | $251,413 |
| Columbia Heights | 6/10 | B | $300,146 |
| Pensacola Park | 6/10 | B | $340,382 |
| Pasadena | 6/10 | B | $354,877 |
| Northside | 6/10 | B | $387,365 |
| Eastland Parkway | 6/10 | B | $512,322 |
| Woodhill | 5/10 | C | $130,000 |
| Saint Martins Village | 5/10 | C | $134,000 |
| Joyland | 5/10 | C+ | $146,000 |
| East End | 5/10 | C+ | $148,000 |
| Georgetown | 5/10 | C | $154,946 |
| Highlands | 5/10 | B- | $155,000 |
| South Broadway Park | 5/10 | C+ | $157,000 |
| Melrose-Oakpark | 5/10 | C | $159,944 |
| Radcliffe-Elkhorn Park | 5/10 | B- | $160,000 |
| Liberty Heights | 5/10 | C | $179,937 |
| Cardinal Valley | 5/10 | C+ | $234,918 |
| River Park | 5/10 | C | $234,918 |
| Castlewood | 5/10 | C | $237,417 |
| North Limestone | 5/10 | C | $272,405 |
| Pleasant Green Hill | 4/10 | C- | $109,000 |
| Meadows-Loudon | 4/10 | C- | $219,923 |
| William Wells Brown | 4/10 | C- | $242,416 |
| Speigle Heights | 4/10 | C- | $410,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Lexington KY neighborhood has the best schools?
Ten neighborhoods earn the top 9/10 school rating in Lexington: Gratz Park, Ashland Park, Beaumont, Shadeland, Bonita, Fairway, Greenbrier, Chevy Chase, and others. The most affordable entry into 9/10 schools is Gratz Park at $250,313 median — remarkable value for the school rating. Beaumont ($478k) and Ashland Park ($412k) are the most popular picks for families relocating to Lexington.
What is the safest neighborhood in Lexington KY?
The 9/10 school neighborhoods with A crime grades are Beaumont, Shadeland, Bonita, and Fairway. At more accessible prices, Lansdowne Shadeland East (8/10, A-, $345k) and Gratz Park (9/10, A-, $250k) offer top safety with strong schools. Chevy Chase carries an A- grade at $998k for buyers in the luxury tier.
What is the best neighborhood in Lexington for families?
For families prioritizing schools and safety, Beaumont (9/10, A, $478k) is the top overall pick — newer construction, strong HOA, top-rated schools, and a family-centric community. For buyers under $300,000, Hamburg (8/10, B+, $239k) and Gratz Park (9/10, A-, $250k) are the standout value options. Tates Creek (8/10, B+, $350k) is a perennial top family neighborhood.
What can I buy under $300,000 in Lexington KY?
Under $300,000, the best school-rated neighborhoods in Lexington are Gratz Park (9/10, A-, $250k), Hamburg (8/10, B+, $239k), McConnell’s Trace (7/10, B, $206k), and Hill N Dale (7/10, B, $213k). These neighborhoods offer significantly better school ratings per dollar than most comparable cities in Ohio, Indiana, or Illinois.
Is Lexington KY a good place to live?
Consistently — Lexington ranks in the top 20 mid-size cities in the U.S. for quality of life. The University of Kentucky anchors a large educated workforce, the horse industry adds unique economic character, and the city is growing steadily. Kentucky’s 0.80% effective property tax rate is well below the national average, and Lexington home prices are 30–40% below comparable cities in Ohio, Indiana, or Illinois. No state income tax on wages below $41,110 (as of 2026 rates).
How do Lexington property taxes compare to other cities?
Lexington’s effective property tax rate is approximately 0.80% — below the national average of 0.88%. On a $400,000 home that’s about $3,200/year. Compare that to Columbus OH ($5,800), Cincinnati OH ($5,200), Indianapolis IN ($4,100), or Edwardsville IL ($9,600+). Use the property tax comparison tool to run your own numbers.
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