Kentucky
R+26 · Moderate tax burden · COL index 85
4%
Income Tax
228
Violent Crime / 100K
73.5
Life Expectancy
$215K
Median Home
$890
Childcare / Mo
State Profile
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Taxes
Income Tax
Property Tax
~$1,677/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Inheritance tax on non-spouse/child heirs
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains
Housing & Cost of Living
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Crime & Safety
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Near national avg
Traffic Fatality Rate
Among the most dangerous
Healthcare
State Healthcare Rank
Life Expectancy
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Education
K-12 Quality Rank
School Choice / Vouchers
Childcare
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Below national avg
Utilities & Daily Costs
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Airports & Travel
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Regional airport — connections via hub
Culture & Lifestyle
Urban Population
Mix of urban and rural
Restaurant Density
Limited dining options
Religious Congregations
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
2.4/100K residents — Growing
Craft Distilleries
One of the nation's top distillery states
Live Music
Bourbon Trail is world-class (115+ distilleries); Louisville Bourbon & Beyond festival; Forecastle Fest
Transportation
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Social & Legal
Abortion Access
Near-total ban; trigger law took effect after Dobbs
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
No casinos but famous for horse racing (Kentucky Derby). Sports betting launched 2023. Historical horse racing machines legal.
Age of Consent
Sex Education
Sex ed required by state
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
Rock Haven Lodge (Brandenburg) · Kentucky naturists
Environment & Climate
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Near national avg
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun Laws
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Gambling
Jobs & Economy
Job Market
+1.2% job growth · 4% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Healthcare Jobs
Remote Work
Median Household Income
Daily Life
Gas Price (Regular)
Well below avg (-0.28 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Consumer fireworks legal statewide
Weather & Natural Risks
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 42°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Veteran Benefits
Veteran-Friendly Score
7.1% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
Up to $40,500 homestead exemption
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore Kentucky counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county
See your full cost of living in Kentucky
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.
Compare Similar States
KY vs AR
Kentucky vs Arkansas
COL 85 vs 85 · 4% vs 3.9% income tax
Full comparison →
KY vs KS
Kentucky vs Kansas
COL 85 vs 86 · 4% vs 5.7% income tax
Full comparison →
KY vs MO
Kentucky vs Missouri
COL 85 vs 86 · 4% vs 4.7% income tax
Full comparison →
KY vs AL
Kentucky vs Alabama
COL 85 vs 87 · 4% vs 5% income tax
Full comparison →
Stay Current
Get notified when Kentucky tax laws, gun laws, or social policy changes.
Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI UCR ~2022. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund / US News ~2023. Education: Education Week ~2023. Housing: Zillow / Census ACS ~2024. Insurance: rate surveys ~2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.