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Cost of living in Kentucky

Everyday prices in Kentucky run 9.8% below the US average, the 12th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Kentucky cities we cover

Cheapest first. Tap one for monthly costs, weather and flights.1,2,4

Kentucky next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
KentuckyUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Kentucky?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$73,750
Typical household incomeA year · 45th highest of 51
18%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,089/mo) against median income ($73,750). 14th lowest of 51.
4.2
Years of income to buy a home$307,775 median listing against $73,750 income. 13th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Kentucky?

7,269 more people moved to Kentucky from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in Kentucky

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,271
    Typical home
    $312,000
    Mortgage
    $1,715/mo
  2. 2Paducah, KYPrice level: No data
    2-bed rent
    $886
    Typical home
    $244,450
    Mortgage
    $1,343/mo

Kentucky next to its neighbors

The states that border Kentucky, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 9West Virginia11% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $909
    Typical home
    $259,997
    Net moves
    +6,408
  2. 12KentuckyThis state10% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,089
    Typical home
    $307,775
    Net moves
    +7,269
  3. 13Missouri9% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,121
    Typical home
    $300,000
    Net moves
    +14,028
  4. 14Tennessee8% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,306
    Typical home
    $429,450
    Net moves
    +42,389
Show 4 more
  1. 17Ohio7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,190
    Typical home
    $284,000
    Net moves
    +11,926
  2. 18Indiana7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,218
    Typical home
    $299,000
    Net moves
    +12,197
  3. 33IllinoisAbout the US average
    2-bed rent
    $1,416
    Typical home
    $324,950
    Net moves
    -40,017
  4. 36Virginia1% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,673
    Typical home
    $455,953
    Net moves
    +6,268

Kentucky by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Kentucky next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Kentucky90.264.3$307,775$1,691$1,089
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Kentucky cities we cover

CityTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rentPrice level
Paducah$244,450$1,343$886No data

Metro areas in Kentucky

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN93.1$1,271$312,000
Paducah, KYNo data$886$244,450

Kentucky next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Kentucky90.2$1,089$307,775+7,269
Illinois100.0$1,416$324,950-40,017
Indiana93.3$1,218$299,000+12,197
Missouri90.8$1,121$300,000+14,028
Ohio92.8$1,190$284,000+11,926
Tennessee91.9$1,306$429,450+42,389
Virginia101.1$1,673$455,953+6,268
West Virginia89.5$909$259,997+6,408

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-308
2020-21+3,010
2021-22+10,343
2022-23+7,154
2023-24+7,013
2024-25+7,269

States with a similar cost of living to Kentucky

Keep comparing

Kentucky cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Kentucky?

Everyday prices in Kentucky run 9.8% below the US average, the 12th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 64.3 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $307,775 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $1,691 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,089 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $120,145 in Kentucky.

Is Kentucky cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. Kentucky's regional price parity is 90.2, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 9.8% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Kentucky?

The median listed home in Kentucky is $307,775 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 11th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $1,691 a month.

How much is rent in Kentucky?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Kentucky is $1,089 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Kentucky equals $150,000 in New York?

About $120,145, using BEA regional price parities for Kentucky (90.2) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Kentucky?

7,269 more people moved to Kentucky from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Which Kentucky cities do you cover?

Paducah ($244,450). Each has its own page with monthly costs, weather and flights.

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page