KY • 53 Cities • 2026 Data

Cost of Living in Kentucky

Explore cost of living data for 53 cities in Kentucky. Compare housing, rent, groceries, healthcare, and utility costs with detailed city-by-city breakdowns.

Cost Index

93.1

Affordable

Avg Rent

$1,171

/month

State Tax

income tax

Avg Income

$66,849

/year

Cities

tracked

Cheapest Cities in Kentucky

Most Expensive Cities in Kentucky

Salary Calculator

Calculate equivalent salaries between Kentucky cities and other US locations.

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See how Kentucky cities rank among the most affordable places to live nationwide.

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Compare Kentucky with other states. See rankings by cost index, rent, and tax rates.

All Cities in Kentucky(53 of 53)

Living in Kentucky: What to Know

Kentucky has a cost of living index of 93.1, meaning overall expenses are 6.9% lower the national average. With 53 cities tracked in our database, the state offers a wide range of living situations from very affordable small towns to pricier metropolitan areas.

Housing is typically the largest expense category. Average rent in Kentucky is approximately $1,171 per month, with significant variation between urban centers and rural communities. Median home values average around $390,095 statewide.

The state income tax rate in Kentucky is 4%, which directly affects take-home pay. Factor this into salary comparisons when considering a move from states with different tax rates.

Kentucky Cost of Living FAQ

Common questions about living costs in Kentucky.

Kentucky has a cost of living index of 93.1 compared to the national average of 100. This means Kentucky is 6.9% cheaper than the national average. The state has 53 cities tracked in our database with varying costs across urban and rural areas.

The average monthly rent in Kentucky is approximately $1,171 per month. Rent varies significantly by city — major metropolitan areas tend to have rents 30-60% higher than rural communities within the state. Our city-by-city breakdown below provides median rent, median home prices, and utility costs for every tracked city.

Kentucky has a state income tax rate of approximately 4%. This affects take-home pay significantly — on a $100,000 salary, you'd pay roughly $4,000 in state income taxes.

The most affordable cities in Kentucky include Alexandria (-13% vs national average), Augusta (-13% vs national average), Bellevue (-13% vs national average). These cities offer significantly lower housing, grocery, and healthcare costs compared to national averages. Explore each city page for detailed expense breakdowns.

Kentucky offers affordable cost of living with 53 cities to choose from. Key factors to consider include housing costs (average rent ~$1,171/mo), job market, climate, and quality of life. Browse individual city pages below for specific cost breakdowns to help you decide.

Cost of Living in Kentucky

Cheapest Cities in Kentucky

Most Expensive Cities in Kentucky

Salary Calculator

Cheapest US Cities

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All Cities in Kentucky(53 of 53)

Alexandria

Ashland

Augusta

Bellevue

Bowling Green

Bromley

Brooksville

Brownsville

Burlington

Butler

Catlettsburg

Covington

Crescent Springs

Crestview Hills

Crittenden

Dry Ridge

Elsmere

Erlanger

Falmouth

Flatwoods

Florence

Fort Mitchell

Fort Thomas

Fort Wright

Franklin

Glencoe

Greenup

Hebron

Independence

Lakeside Park

Lebanon

Louisville

Mackville

Middletown

Newport

Oakland

Russell

Russellville

Ryland Heights

Silver Grove

Smiths Grove

South Shore

Sparta

Taylor Mill

Trenton

Verona

Villa Hills

Walton

Warsaw

Williamstown

Woodburn

Worthington

Wurtland

Living in Kentucky: What to Know

Kentucky Cost of Living FAQ