Pikeville, KY vs Shelbyville, KY

Pikeville, KY and Shelbyville, KY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.5% difference in their overall index. Pikeville scores 82 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 Pikeville is $840/month compared to $979/month in Shelbyville — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Pikeville has cheaper rent, Shelbyville actually has lower median home values ($238,600 vs $301,300).

Median household income in Pikeville is $39,216 compared to $73,733 in Shelbyville (-46.8%). 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 Pikeville spend roughly 25.7% of their income on rent, more than the 15.9% in Shelbyville.