Georgetown sits about 15 to 20 minutes north of Lexington’s northern edge, close enough that plenty of buyers start out looking at both. They end up very different places to live, and the differences aren’t always the ones people expect.
I work with buyers and sellers across both, so here’s how I break it down.
The Short Version
Lexington is the city: bigger, busier, more to do, and more variety in where you can live. Georgetown is the smaller town with its own downtown, a major employer in Toyota, and a little more space for your money. Neither one is the wrong answer. It comes down to what you want your day-to-day to look like.
| Georgetown | Lexington-Fayette | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2025 est.) | 40,883 | 329,751 |
| Growth since 2020 | about +10% | about +2% |
| Median household income | $80,088 | $69,479 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.3% | 53.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 34.1% | 48.3% |
| Average commute to work | 21.5 min | 20.9 min |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts. Income and housing figures are 2020–2024 five-year estimates; population is the July 2025 estimate. Growth is calculated from the 2020 Census count.¹ ²
Size and Feel
Lexington has roughly eight times as many people as Georgetown, and it feels like it. You get neighbourhoods with very different personalities, from the walkable, tree-lined streets around Chevy Chase to the family-friendly areas like Hartland and Masterson Station to the revitalized Distillery District.
Georgetown is smaller and growing faster. Its population is up about 10% since the 2020 Census, compared with about 2% for Lexington.¹ ² What you get in return is a town with its own historic downtown and a hometown feel.
Commute and Work
Here’s one that surprises people. You’d assume living in Georgetown means a longer commute. The Census numbers say otherwise: the average worker in Georgetown spends about 21.5 minutes getting to work, compared with 20.9 in Lexington-Fayette.¹ ² Part of that is because Georgetown has a major local employer. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky opened its Georgetown plant in 1988 and employs about 10,000 team members.³
If your job is in northern Lexington, Georgetown is a 15 to 20 minute drive along I-75. If you’re headed downtown or to the south side, plan on longer, and test the drive at the time of day you’d actually make it.
Schools
Georgetown is served by Scott County Schools, which has two high schools: Scott County High School and Great Crossing High School, which opened in 2019.⁴ Lexington is served by Fayette County Public Schools.
I’m not going to tell you one is “better,” because school quality varies school by school, and it depends on what matters to your family. Look up the specific schools for any address on the Kentucky School Report Card, and tell me what you’re looking for. I’ll narrow the search.
Home Prices
This is where most buyers want the numbers. Based on Redfin data for the three months ending in August:
- Lexington: median sale price of about $364,800, up 4.2% from a year earlier. Homes took a median of 34 days to sell, and about 23% sold above list price.⁵
- Scott County (which includes Georgetown): median sale price of about $352,000, down 3.6%. Median days on market were 37, and homes sold for about 99.2% of list price.⁶
That’s roughly a $13,000 gap at the median, and the direction of travel is different: Lexington prices are up, Scott County’s are slightly down. Keep in mind the county figure covers more than the city of Georgetown, including rural properties, and a median can swing when relatively few homes sell (72 in Scott County in August).⁶ The fair read is that Georgetown costs a little less at the median, with more variety in new construction and larger lots. The best way to see what your budget buys in each is to look at actual listings side by side.
Lifestyle and Local Character
Lexington is “Horse Capital of the World,” with year-round UK athletics, a dining scene that regularly gets national attention, bourbon culture and plenty of parks and trails.
Georgetown has a more small-town rhythm: a historic downtown with local shops and dining, and it’s close to the Kentucky Horse Park and the surrounding equestrian country. If horses or land are part of the plan, Georgetown and the rest of Scott County are worth a look. My Farm & Horse Property guide covers what to check before you buy.
So Which One Is Right for You?
Lexington may be your fit if you want walkability, variety, a bigger dining and cultural scene, and the widest choice of neighbourhoods.
Georgetown may be your fit if you want a smaller-town feel, a bit more space for your budget, and a short drive into Lexington when you want the city.
Still torn? That’s a great problem to have. If you’re also weighing the south side, my Nicholasville vs. Lexington comparison covers that one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Georgetown, KY from Lexington? Georgetown is about a 15 to 20 minute drive from northern Lexington via I-75. The average commute for Georgetown workers is about 21.5 minutes, close to Lexington’s 20.9.
Is Georgetown cheaper than Lexington? At the median, slightly. Redfin’s three-month median sale price ending August 2026 was about $352,000 for Scott County and about $364,800 for Lexington. The county figure includes areas outside the city of Georgetown.
What is Georgetown, KY known for? Georgetown is the home of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, which opened in 1988 and employs about 10,000 people. It’s also known for its historic downtown and proximity to Kentucky’s horse country.
Let’s Find Your Fit. Whether it’s Georgetown, Lexington or somewhere in between, reach out and let’s talk through what matters most to you. You can also browse the Georgetown and Lexington community pages.
Sources: ¹ U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Georgetown city, KY ² U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY ³ Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Toyota announcement (Mar. 23, 2026) ⁴ WKYT, “Great Crossing High School opens after more than 20 years of planning” (Aug. 20, 2019) ⁵ Redfin, Lexington housing market ⁶ Redfin, Scott County housing market
