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Common Ground News

What are the pros and cons of living in Kentucky?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 02, 2026

What are the pros and cons of living in Kentucky?

Kentucky state: Pros & Cons
  • Low property taxes.
  • Good Farming lands.
  • Great food.
  • No toll roads or bridges.
  • Good horses! Yee-Hah.
  • Affordable education.
  • Low cost of living.
  • Quality of education isn't that great.

Similarly, it is asked, is Ky a good state to live in?

It's living index is 89, compared to the national average of 100. U.S. News ranked Kentucky 8th in the country for affordability. Things like health care, food, and transportation can be found more cheaply in Kentucky than many places elsewhere in the U.S.

Beside above, is Kentucky a safe place to live? Compared to nationwide levels, Kentucky has admirably low levels of crime. The Bluegrass State's violent crime rate of 2.12 per 1,000 is around 57% of the national rate, while the state's rate of property crime is below average, as well.

Moreover, what do I need to know about moving to Kentucky?

21 Things To Know About Kentucky Before Moving There

  • The Big Blue Nation Is Wildcat Crazy.
  • Bourbon Is The Only Booze You Need.
  • Everyone Hunts Everything In Kentucky.
  • Home To The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports.
  • Kentuckians Are All Friendly To A Fault
  • But You Should Learn To Talk The Hillbilly Talk.
  • Kentucky Is Rock Climbing Territory.

Is it cheaper to live in Kentucky?

Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 means Kentucky is cheaper than the US average.

Kentucky cost of living is 83.6.

COST OF LIVINGKentuckyUnited States
Health93.9100
Housing63.3100
Median Home Cost$146,400$231,200
Utilities92.9100

Is Kentucky a rich or poor state?

According to data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau, 17.2 percent of Kentuckians lived in poverty in 2017, an improvement over the 18.5 percent state poverty rate in 2016. But that rate still leaves Kentucky the fifth poorest state in the United States.

How bad is it to live in Kentucky?

Kentucky is a miserable place to live. It's one of the most miserable places to live in the entire county, according to a study. 24/7 Wall Street then broke down the index's findings by state, and found that Kentucky is the 45th most miserable state in America.

What are the benefits of living in Kentucky?

Kentucky state: Pros & Cons
  • Low property taxes.
  • Good Farming lands.
  • Great food.
  • No toll roads or bridges.
  • Good horses! Yee-Hah.
  • Affordable education.
  • Low cost of living.
  • Quality of education isn't that great.

How much do you need to make to live in Kentucky?

A single adult living in Kentucky would need to earn at least $10.82 an hour to afford the state's cost of living, according to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology living-wage calculator. The living wage jumps to $22.68 an hour for a single parent with one child, MIT's calculator says.

What is the best city to live in Kentucky?

The top 10 best places to live in Kentucky for 2020 are:
  • Fort Thomas.
  • Edgewood.
  • Villa Hills.
  • Fort Mitchell.
  • Wilmore.
  • Fort Wright.
  • Cold Spring.
  • Bellevue.

Are taxes high in Kentucky?

Kentucky Income Taxes

Kentucky imposes a flat income tax. This differs from the federal income tax, which has a progressive tax system (higher rates for higher income levels). The state income tax rate is 5% regardless of income. Prior to 2018, the state had rates ranging from 2% to 6%.

How much snow does Kentucky get?

Kentucky averages 11 inches of snow per year.

The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.

What is the most dangerous city in Kentucky?

Where Are The Most Dangerous Cities In Kentucky?
RankCityViolent Crimes Per Capita
1Mayfield406
2Louisville Metro686
3Pikeville273
4Oak Grove326

How long do you have to live in Kentucky to be considered a resident?

How long do I have to live in Kentucky to become a resident for tuition purposes? Although certain presumptions about residency refer to a period of twelve (12) months, there is no specific time limit for establishing residency and domicile for a tuition and admission purpose.

Why you should move to Kentucky?

8 Reasons to Move to Kentucky
  • 1) The Ultimate Rivalry.
  • 2) Strong Workforce.
  • 3) Kentucky Bourbon Trail®
  • 4) Affordable Housing.
  • 5) Hot Browns.
  • 6) Outdoor Adventures.
  • 7) An Extra Season.
  • 8) Location, Location, Location.

What are the winters like in Kentucky?

Winters are cold, but short of bitter, with night temperatures below 23°F (-5°C) in January. Substantial variations exist between summer and winter temperatures. However, temperatures rarely drop below 0°F (-17.8°C) or rise above 100°F (37.8°C). The northern region is up to 5°F (-15°C) cooler than the south and west.

Is Kentucky a poor state?

Washington, D.C. –Kentucky houses some of the hungriest and poorest number of Americans, according to a Bread for the World analysis of the latest U.S. Census data. In Kentucky, 18 percent of residents lived in poverty.

Where should I move in Kentucky?

Lexington, Danville and Louisville are among the best places to live in Kentucky.
  • 8 Reasons to Move to Kentucky. Find out what makes the Bluegrass State an excellent place to live.
  • 7 Cities in Northern Kentucky to Move to Right Now. Charming neighborhoods and vibrant communities offer an assortment of fun things to do.

What jobs are in demand in Kentucky?

The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs In Kentucky For 2019
  • Home Health Aid.
  • Physical Therapist Assistant.
  • Operations Analyst.
  • Physical Therapy Aide.
  • Physical Therapist.
  • Certified Nursing Assistant.
  • Occupational Therapist.
  • Tour Guide.

What is minimum wage in Kentucky?

Currently, at $7.25 an hour, Kentucky's minimum wage has not changed in 13 years, but Thomas says it's time for the poorest workers in the state to get a raise.

What city in Kentucky has the lowest crime rate?

Alexandria had the lowest violent crime rate at 0.1 per 1,000, but a higher property crime rate of 15.0 per 1,000 landed it at number 17 on the list.

Can alligators live in Kentucky?

In January 2018, an alligator was found near the Cumberland River in Harlan County, Kentucky. In 2015, a three foot alligator was found living in Skaggs Creek near Barren River Lake. Kentucky law forbids the transport or possession of an alligator, but people sometimes still try to keep them as pets.

What is the most dangerous city in the world?

The Most Dangerous Cities In The World
Rank?CityCountry
1TijuanaMexico
2AcapulcoMexico
3CaracasVenezuela
4Ciudad VictoriaMexico

Does Kentucky have a lot of tornadoes?

Kentucky Tornado Averages

Kentucky is considered part of Hoosier Alley and sees high storm season happen in April and May. There are an average of 21 tornados that occur each year.

Is Bardstown KY dangerous?

The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Bardstown is 1 in 37. Based on FBI crime data, Bardstown is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Kentucky, Bardstown has a crime rate that is higher than 86% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Are there big cats in Kentucky?

The increasing number of big cat reports in the state coincides with the return of the bobcat to Kentucky's landscape. Bobcats, which were considered rare as late as 1974, have increased in range and abundance throughout Kentucky. They are now found in every county in the state.

What are the best jobs in Kentucky?

Here's a quick look at the top ten highest paying jobs in Kentucky:
  • Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists.
  • Anesthesiologists.
  • Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
  • Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric.
  • Psychiatrists.
  • General Internal Medicine Physicians.
  • Family Medicine Physicians.
  • Pediatricians, General.

What is the cheapest place to live in Kentucky?

The most affordable places to buy a home in Kentucky
  • Princeton, Kentucky.
  • Central City, Kentucky.
  • Hebron, Kentucky.
  • Flatwoods, Kentucky.
  • Hillview, Kentucky.
  • Elsmere, Kentucky.
  • Burlington, Kentucky.
  • Independence, Kentucky.

Where is the best place to retire in Kentucky?

Top 10 Cities to Retire in Kentucky
  • Mayfield.
  • Ashland.
  • Somerset.
  • Shively.
  • Covington.
  • Owensboro.
  • Glasgow.
  • Hopkinsville.