Kentucky
Among the top 8% of US states for affordability.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade A, better than 92% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 31% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B, better than 67% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade D, better than 24% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 46% of US states
- top 8% for monthly rent
- top 12% for cost of living
- bottom 16% for broadband access
Kentucky is a U.S. state with about 4,503,000 residents. It grades A for affordability and D for getting around. Standout strengths include monthly rent, cost of living, and amenities nearby. It rates lower on walkability and broadband access.
Official websitekentucky.gov (opens in new tab)
- The median home value in Kentucky is $181k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Kentucky is $61k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Kentucky is $884 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Kentucky has a violent crime rate of 944/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Kentucky is 24 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$61k14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$45kbetter than 88% of US states
Home Value$181k10th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$884better than 92% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$52kbetter than 75% of US states
Property Tax Rate0.80%better than 59% of US states
Income Tax5.04%better than 52% of US states
Sales Tax6.00%better than 78% of US states
Estimated total tax burden9.37%better than 72% of US states
Unemployment5.2%better than 43% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)35°F57th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)77°F61st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation50.0 in78th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall10.9 inbetter than 67% of US states
Sunny Days213 daysbetter than 39% of US states
Summer Humidity67°Fbetter than 29% of US states
Comfortable Days78 daysbetter than 40% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk67.9better than 78% of US states
Air Quality48 AQIbetter than 40% of US states
School Quality53.5better than 38% of US states
Violent Crime944/100kbetter than 74% of US states
Property Crime1482/100kbetter than 64% of US states
Community
Population4,502,93551st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age39.153rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2618th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9947th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+2788th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)83.2%88th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)7.9%53rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)4.0%8th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.5%18th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.3%10th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time24 minbetter than 61% of US states
Walkability7.3/20better than 20% of US states
Airport Distance60 mibetter than 45% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access85.5%better than 16% of US states
Amenities Nearby6.04better than 84% of US states
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 63% of US states
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is Kentucky an affordable place to live?
- Kentucky is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $45k, better than 88% of comparable areas. Median rent is $884.
- Is Kentucky safe?
- Kentucky is safer than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 944/100k (better than 74%). Property crime is 1482/100k.
- What is the weather like in Kentucky?
- Kentucky averages 77°F in July and 35°F in January, with 50.0 in of annual precipitation and about 213 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Kentucky?
- Public-school quality in Kentucky is below average, scoring better than 38% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Kentucky?
- The average one-way commute in Kentucky is 24 min.