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 10% for monthly owner costs
- 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, monthly owner costs, and cost of living. It rates lower on walkability and broadband access.
Official websitekentucky.gov (opens in new tab)
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$1kbetter than 90% 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
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.
- What is the median home value in Kentucky?
- The median home value in Kentucky is $181k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Kentucky?
- Median household income in Kentucky is $61k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Kentucky?
- Median gross rent in Kentucky is $884 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- 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.
Best places to live in Kentucky
Top cities in Kentucky
Counties in Kentucky
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)