Cost of Living in Kentucky
Based on 3 cities we track in Kentucky.
Cost of living in Kentucky is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $877 a month — 17% lower than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $64,731, about the same as the $67,043 median across the states we track. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$877
Median Home Value
$232,100
Median Income
$64,731
Avg Temperature
58.0°F
Medians across the Kentucky cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
6%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 3.50%
Cities in Kentucky
Compare Kentucky with
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Kentucky cost of living — FAQ
- Is Kentucky expensive to live in?
- Kentucky is around the middle of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $877 ranks #36 of 51 and is 17% lower than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Kentucky?
- Across the 3 cities we track in Kentucky, average rent runs a studio around $786, a one-bedroom around $877, a two-bedroom around $1,096, a three-bedroom around $1,299 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Kentucky?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Kentucky is $232,100 — 19% lower than the $287,500 median across the states we track.
- Does Kentucky have a state income tax?
- Yes — Kentucky's top state income tax rate is 3.50% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 6%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Kentucky?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $877 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Kentucky is $64,731.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).