Cost of Living in Kentucky
Kentucky has 16 cities with cost-of-living data on CompareLiving, drawn from US Census, BEA, HUD, and EPA sources. Median rent is lowest in Henderson at $771/mo and highest in Florence at $1,329/mo.
Kentucky at a Glance
Cities Tracked
16
with census data
Avg Cost Index
N/A
US avg = 100
Avg Median Rent
$1,048
per month
Avg Household Income
$63,633
annual median
Popular Cities in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Cities in Depth
Climate & Weather in Kentucky
Healthcare & Hospitals in Kentucky
Neighborhoods in Kentucky
Jobs & Industries in Kentucky
Kentucky Cities — Full Table
Click columns to sort
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 631,818 | — | $1,120 | $233,900 | $66,849 |
| Lexington-Fayette | 323,725 | — | $1,164 | $293,500 | $69,479 |
| Bowling Green | 75,388 | — | $998 | $241,900 | $48,873 |
| Owensboro | 60,302 | — | $905 | $178,900 | $56,357 |
| Covington | 41,110 | — | $1,006 | $187,300 | $61,166 |
| Georgetown | 39,117 | — | $1,255 | $265,400 | $80,088 |
| Richmond | 37,111 | — | $917 | $214,900 | $50,870 |
| Florence | 32,803 | — | $1,329 | $210,700 | $71,003 |
| Elizabethtown | 32,576 | — | $909 | $245,900 | $60,760 |
| Nicholasville | 32,197 | — | $1,147 | $226,800 | $68,503 |
| Hopkinsville | 30,906 | — | $902 | $172,100 | $49,139 |
| Independence | 29,392 | — | $1,250 | $263,700 | $102,361 |
| Jeffersontown | 29,199 | — | $1,320 | $250,700 | $81,506 |
| Frankfort | 28,503 | — | $944 | $183,700 | $53,073 |
| Henderson | 27,852 | — | $771 | $160,100 | $48,186 |
| Paducah | 26,845 | — | $834 | $165,300 | $49,915 |
Cost Index = BEA Regional Price Parity (US avg = 100) · Income & Rent = US Census ACS
Compare Kentucky cities head-to-head
Use our comparison tool to put any two cities side by side. Or explore national rankings to see how Kentucky cities stack up across the US. For example, Louisville/Jefferson County vs Lexington-Fayette.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in Kentucky
What is the cost of living in Kentucky?
Cost of living varies significantly across cities in Kentucky. Use the table below to compare individual cities.
What are the cheapest cities to live in Kentucky?
City-level cost index data for Kentucky is being compiled. Check back soon.
What is the median rent in Kentucky?
The average median gross rent across cities in Kentucky is approximately $1,048/month. Rent varies significantly by city and neighborhood — use the city profiles below for specific figures.
What are the income tax rates in Kentucky?
State income tax information for Kentucky is not yet available in our database.
What is the sales tax in Kentucky?
Sales tax information for Kentucky is not yet available in our database.
Is it expensive to move to Kentucky?
Check individual city profiles in Kentucky to estimate your cost of living. Our moving guides offer salary adjustment calculators for popular corridors.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, Tax Foundation · Methodology