Florence, KY vs Shelbyville, KY

Florence, KY and Shelbyville, KY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Florence scores 85 while Shelbyville scores 82 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Florence is $1,199/month compared to $979/month in Shelbyville — a 23% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shelbyville has cheaper rent, Florence actually has lower median home values ($196,200 vs $238,600).

Median household income in Florence is $68,508 compared to $73,733 in Shelbyville (-7.1%). Shelbyville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Florence spend roughly 21% of their income on rent, more than the 15.9% in Shelbyville.