Kentucky has a cost of living index of 78 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $66,260 and a population of 2,688,626. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in Kentucky.
Francisville is 1% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $146,280 and a population of 10,313.
Burlington is 4% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $101,550 and a population of 18,090.
Independence is 11% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $98,653 and a population of 29,024.
Alexandria is 14% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $103,750 and a population of 10,430.
Fort Thomas is 9% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $100,819 and a population of 17,242.
Mount Washington is 19% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $93,852 and a population of 18,228.
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) is 17% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $64,731 and a population of 627,210.
Erlanger is 22% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $78,420 and a population of 19,677.
Georgetown is 11% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $78,373 and a population of 38,206.
Lexington-Fayette urban county is 12% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $67,631 and a population of 321,122.
Jeffersontown is 10% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $78,185 and a population of 28,988.
La Grange is 9% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $86,222 and a population of 10,188.
Florence is 15% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $68,508 and a population of 32,334.
Nicholasville is 20% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $67,514 and a population of 31,625.
Shepherdsville is 24% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $71,250 and a population of 14,351.
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.