Kentucky vs Texas
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6.25%
+0.3 pp in Texas
Income Tax (top rate)
3.50%
None
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$877
$1,170
+33% in Texas
Median Home Value
$221,500
$264,900
+20% in Texas
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,731
$67,043
+4% in Texas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
58.2°F
67.2°F
+9.0°F in Texas
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/8 cities we track in Kentucky/Texas — 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.