Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $877 in Kentucky versus $817 in Ohio. Overall, Ohio runs roughly 7% cheaper on rent than Kentucky, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $64,731 in Kentucky and $51,707 in Ohio — about 20% higher in Kentucky. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
5.75%
+0.3 pp in Kentucky
Income Tax (top rate)
3.50%
2.75%
+0.8 pp in Kentucky
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$877
$817
+7% in Kentucky
Median Home Value
$232,100
$215,300
+7% in Kentucky
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,731
$51,707
+20% in Kentucky
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
58.0°F
52.7°F
+5.3°F in Kentucky
Kentucky vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kentucky or Ohio?
- Ohio is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $817 runs about 7% below Kentucky's $877, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kentucky than in Ohio?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Kentucky versus $33,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, Kentucky or Ohio?
- Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Kentucky/Ohio — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.