Cost of living in Kentucky
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
Prices in Kentucky are 9.8% below the national average — a Regional Price Parity of 90.2 (U.S. = 100), making it the #12 cheapest of 51 states and DC. Compare Kentucky with any other state below, including the effect of taxes.
- Texas vs Kentucky prices
- 7.7% pricier
- Take-home in Kentucky at $75,000
- $59,085$4,924 / month
- Take-home you'd need in Texas
- $63,606$5,300 / month
- Take-home in Texas at the same $75,000
- $61,593$5,133 / month
- Same salary: change in real take-home
- −3.2%−$2,013 a year in Kentucky buying power
Equivalent after tax = the gross pay in Texas whose take-home, adjusted for Texas prices, buys what your Kentucky take-home buys today. Statewide averages — big metros (and rent) vary a lot within a state.
How to compare Kentucky with another state
- Enter your salary — the calculator starts with Kentucky as your current state.
- Pick the state you're comparing with (moving to Kentucky? press ⇄ to swap).
- Read the salary with equal buying power after taxes, and the "same salary" change in your real take-home.
Kentucky prices by category
| Category | Kentucky | vs U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.2 | −9.8% |
| Goods | 96.0 | −4.0% |
| Housing (rent) | 64.3 | −35.7% |
| Utilities | 75.3 | −24.7% |
| Other services | 97.3 | −2.7% |
Low housing costs keep Kentucky affordable: rents run 36% below average. The overall price level rose 0.3% relative to the nation versus 2023 (89.9). Housing covers rent and the rental value of owner-occupied homes; "other services" includes health care, dining out, transportation and education.
Take-home pay in Kentucky, adjusted for prices
| Salary | Taxes | Take-home | Real take-home | U.S.-average equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $9,277 | $40,723 | $45,168 | $55,458 |
| $75,000 | $15,915 | $59,085 | $65,534 | $83,186 |
| $100,000 | $24,202 | $75,798 | $84,071 | $110,915 |
At $75,000, Kentucky ranks #13 of 51 for real take-home pay, after both taxes and prices. Full paycheck details: Kentucky paycheck calculator.
What $75,000 in Kentucky equals in other states
Prices = price level relative to Kentucky. "Salary (after tax)" is what you'd need to earn there, single filer, to live like you do on $75,000 in Kentucky once both prices and state taxes are counted.
| State | Prices | Salary (prices only) | Salary (after tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | +3.5% | $77,637 | $77,601 |
| Ohio | +2.9% | $77,175 | $76,211 |
| West Virginia | −0.7% | $74,449 | $74,399 |
| Virginia | +12.1% | $84,105 | $87,637 |
| Tennessee | +1.9% | $76,423 | $73,030 |
| Missouri | +0.7% | $75,547 | $75,695 |
| Illinois | +10.9% | $83,151 | $86,440 |
| State | Prices | Salary (prices only) | Salary (after tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | −3.6% | $72,320 | $71,502 |
| Mississippi | −3.6% | $72,333 | $71,473 |
| Iowa | −2.7% | $73,006 | $72,175 |
| Oklahoma | −2.6% | $73,073 | $73,184 |
| California | +22.8% | $92,104 | $99,556 |
| Hawaii | +22.0% | $91,464 | $98,505 |
| Washington, DC | +21.9% | $91,423 | $97,523 |
| New Jersey | +20.7% | $90,511 | $95,146 |
| Texas | +7.7% | $80,738 | $77,862 |
| Florida | +14.7% | $86,026 | $83,783 |
| New York | +19.7% | $89,776 | $95,108 |
Moving from Kentucky to a pricier state? The "after taxes too" column folds in state income tax, so a no-tax state can beat a cheaper state with a high income tax. Statewide averages hide large metro differences — check local rents before you move.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by State, 2024 (table SARPP, released February 19, 2026, bea.gov). Take-home pay: our 2026 federal, FICA and state income-tax engine, single filer, no pre-tax deductions; local income taxes are not included.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Kentucky expensive to live in?
Kentucky has a price level of 90.2 (U.S. = 100), so living costs are 9.8% below the national average. It ranks #12 of 51 from cheapest to most expensive (BEA 2024).
How much do you need to make to live in Kentucky?
To match the buying power of a $75,000 salary at national-average prices, you need about $67,619 in Kentucky before taxes. After Kentucky taxes, $75,000 takes home $59,085 — worth $65,534 at U.S.-average prices, #13 of 51 states.
How much more expensive is rent in Kentucky?
Kentucky's housing price level is 64.3, meaning rents are 35.7% below the national average. Goods are 96.0 and utilities 75.3.
Which neighboring state is cheapest?
West Virginia (price level 89.5, −0.7% vs Kentucky). A $75,000 Kentucky salary is equivalent to $74,399 there after taxes.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.