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Cost of Living in Kentucky

499 cities | Population: 2,688,626

78
Average Cost of Living Index (US = 100)
Median Income: $66,260

Cost of Living in Kentucky: Overview

Kentucky has a cost of living index of 78, making it 22% less expensive than the national average. The statewide median household income is $66,260 (12% below the US median of $75,149). Across 499 cities tracked in Kentucky, costs vary widely depending on location, proximity to metro areas, and local housing markets.

Housing drives most of the variation. The average median rent across Kentucky cities is $918/mo (30% below the national median of $1,319), and the average median home value is $183,615 (40% below the national figure of $304,900). There is a 57-point spread between the most affordable city, Mayfield (index 60), and the most expensive, Union (index 117) — a large gap that shows significant regional cost differences.

When evaluating Kentucky, it helps to look beyond the state average. Individual city costs can deviate significantly — use the map and rankings below to compare specific locations.

The largest cities in Kentucky by population are Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) (index 83, pop. 627,210), Lexington-Fayette urban county (index 88, pop. 321,122), Bowling Green (index 79, pop. 73,638), Owensboro (index 72, pop. 60,112), and Covington (index 76, pop. 40,902). Cost of living varies considerably even among these major population centers, highlighting the importance of comparing individual cities rather than relying on the state average alone.

Data: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow, HUD, BEA Regional Price Parities. Updated monthly.

Cost of Living Map

Top 200 cities by population. Click a marker for details.

All Cities in Kentucky (499)

City Population Cost Index Median Income
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) 627,210 83 $64,731
Lexington-Fayette urban county 321,122 88 $67,631
Bowling Green 73,638 79 $48,419
Owensboro 60,112 72 $53,295
Covington 40,902 76 $58,814
Georgetown 38,206 89 $78,373
Richmond 35,498 75 $48,223
Florence 32,334 85 $68,508
Elizabethtown 31,870 76 $56,250
Nicholasville 31,625 80 $67,514
Hopkinsville 31,011 70 $47,428
Independence 29,024 89 $98,653
Jeffersontown 28,988 90 $78,185
Frankfort 28,452 75 $54,438
Henderson 27,994 68 $47,176
Paducah 26,894 68 $51,243
Radcliff 22,967 74 $60,976
Ashland 21,405 67 $52,199
Erlanger 19,677 78 $78,420
Madisonville 19,442 71 $56,902
Winchester 19,133 73 $57,653
Mount Washington 18,228 81 $93,852
Burlington 18,090 96 $101,550
Murray 17,888 73 $40,348
St. Matthews 17,491 97 $80,716
Shelbyville 17,436 82 $73,733
Fort Thomas 17,242 91 $100,819
Danville 17,235 72 $53,370
Berea 15,557 71 $56,484
Shively 15,556 70 $46,522
Glasgow 15,141 70 $42,417
Shepherdsville 14,351 76 $71,250
Newport 14,039 81 $58,422
Bardstown 13,673 76 $49,781
Somerset 12,108 69 $32,910
Lawrenceburg 11,838 75 $63,690
Campbellsville 11,523 64 $49,389
Fort Campbell North 11,483 102 $58,403
Lyndon 10,956 91 $65,392
Alexandria 10,430 86 $103,750
Versailles 10,382 85 $58,834
Francisville 10,313 101 $146,280
Franklin 10,254 77 $55,552
La Grange 10,188 91 $86,222
Paris 10,107 69 $49,464
Mayfield 9,905 60 $41,458
Middletown 9,622 100 $74,129
Oakbrook 9,459 96 $90,147
Middlesborough 9,258 60 $34,349
Elsmere 9,151 85 $61,427
Harrodsburg 9,126 66 $46,821
Maysville 8,778 66 $41,923
Hillview 8,735 87 $65,732
Fort Knox 8,715 94 $74,224
Fort Mitchell 8,676 92 $80,814
Corbin 8,430 66 $51,795
Edgewood 8,429 87 $121,045
Oak Grove 7,945 80 $47,886
London 7,576 69 $45,850
Pikeville 7,560 82 $39,216
Mount Sterling 7,549 64 $50,843
Union 7,494 117 $139,013
Villa Hills 7,378 96 $108,750
Flatwoods 7,281 68 $60,467
Russellville 7,244 66 $47,875
Morehead 6,924 69 $35,000
Taylor Mill 6,880 84 $83,210
Vine Grove 6,721 91 $74,786
Hebron 6,637 93 $101,980
Highland Heights 6,531 79 $52,437
Leitchfield 6,434 62 $47,168
Cynthiana 6,412 68 $49,817
Lebanon 6,364 64 $39,483
Cold Spring 6,298 88 $80,172
Crestwood 6,275 92 $101,086
Princeton 6,242 61 $51,875
Wilmore 6,031 76 $64,245
Fort Wright 5,882 91 $100,647
Monticello 5,741 63 $37,733
Central City 5,736 67 $49,025
Dayton 5,703 78 $62,500
Bellevue 5,598 82 $67,143
Walton 5,513 82 $76,375
Douglass Hills 5,437 95 $92,826
Williamsburg 5,226 62 $32,431
Hazard 5,105 66 $68,582
Massac 4,937 74 $75,103
Reidland 4,887 80 $83,764
Columbia 4,842 65 $45,221
Hendron 4,840 86 $64,777
Benton 4,774 71 $63,368
Hurstbourne 4,669 124 $113,906
Prospect 4,518 112 $172,361
Westwood 4,480 65 $70,012
Greenville 4,435 62 $70,401
Farley 4,402 60 $45,676
Crescent Springs 4,402 84 $76,530
Scottsville 4,391 62 $36,259
Ludlow 4,378 79 $58,295
Paintsville 4,256 60 $26,713
Crittenden 4,058 73 $51,336
Lancaster 3,960 66 $45,795
Williamstown 3,929 69 $71,761
Carrollton 3,894 68 $58,788
Prestonsburg 3,823 59 $27,265
Grayson 3,820 60 $28,548
Buckner 3,786 111 $149,700
Russell 3,696 72 $76,389
Southgate 3,680 78 $55,469
Stanford 3,662 65 $55,000
Beaver Dam 3,526 66 $52,546
Claryville 3,306 86 $86,250
West Liberty 3,280 68 $57,411
Hodgenville 3,262 70 $58,750
Crestview Hills 3,226 96 $106,375
Stanton 3,211 67 $29,141
Morganfield 3,208 67 $63,546
Barbourville 3,181 66 $20,971
Park Hills 3,155 83 $102,112
Wilder 3,148 86 $71,567
Simpsonville 3,006 85 $91,221
Flemingsburg 2,967 62 $32,500
Eddyville 2,945 70 $58,527
Sorgho 2,928 92 $118,688
Marion 2,908 58 $40,691
Brandenburg 2,907 71 $48,281
Springfield 2,871 68 $40,890
Indian Hills 2,870 156 $188,750
Rineyville 2,869 90 $82,037
Providence 2,861 56 $53,208
Graymoor-Devondale 2,838 101 $90,972
Lakeside Park 2,827 95 $108,971
Irvine 2,811 62 $36,292
Russell Springs 2,755 69 $37,500
Morgantown 2,729 58 $37,037
Eminence 2,710 71 $44,655
Pioneer Village 2,690 93 $79,566
Thruston 2,675 68 $83,707
Tompkinsville 2,672 57 $37,405
Hartford 2,653 58 $61,313
Cadiz 2,649 63 $40,186
Louisa 2,645 56 $41,250
Masonville 2,634 90 $89,102
Falmouth 2,577 68 $38,177
Cave City 2,545 62 $33,672
Calvert City 2,522 70 $42,566
Junction City 2,441 68 $40,917
Anchorage 2,421 157 $215,156
Hardinsburg 2,404 65 $56,774
Carlisle 2,356 60 $46,292
Horse Cave 2,348 59 $51,927
Fulton 2,345 55 $36,037
Elk Creek 2,344 102 $127,487
Harlan 2,304 57 $30,365
Mount Vernon 2,259 60 $38,639
Dry Ridge 2,250 73 $53,641
Brooks 2,246 83 $70,947
Cumberland 2,234 56 $35,309
Greensburg 2,218 59 $37,321
Lebanon Junction 2,201 68 $52,000
Windy Hills 2,188 135 $105,875
Raceland 2,173 65 $61,923
Edmonton 2,168 58 $48,583
Elkton 2,158 67 $45,417
Jackson 2,128 53 $34,317
North Corbin 2,092 67 $48,382
Sebree 2,071 64 $62,222
Lewisport 2,053 65 $51,847
Manchester 2,041 60 $30,291
Jamestown 2,021 58 $25,602
Orchard Grass Hills 2,008 112 $105,417
Whitesburg 1,998 60 $31,875
Hurstbourne Acres 1,984 93 $68,229
Owingsville 1,977 56 $40,150
Dawson Springs 1,973 55 $31,607
Albany 1,972 59 $40,301
Beattyville 1,948 52 $23,750
Jeffersonville 1,937 65 $56,932
Pineville 1,906 52 $25,385
Salyersville 1,891 59 $30,714
Coal Run Village 1,888 68 $47,212
Worthington Hills 1,872 99 $78,365
Warsaw 1,868 70 $58,284
St. Regis Park 1,841 111 $105,183
Liberty 1,828 61 $28,281
Sturgis 1,827 60 $43,938
Worthington 1,813 67 $65,432
Munfordville 1,792 59 $23,879
Midway 1,748 80 $59,609
Doe Valley 1,719 97 $87,757
Audubon Park 1,717 90 $107,865
Auburn 1,715 65 $46,071
Catlettsburg 1,672 55 $34,524
Ledbetter 1,630 73 $62,798
West Buechel 1,624 80 $47,066
Owenton 1,600 62 $52,121
Breckinridge Center 1,592 89 $62,269
Jenkins 1,569 54 $34,400
Taylorsville 1,566 69 $41,917
South Shore 1,561 57 $29,000
Augusta 1,514 62 $43,854
Stearns 1,509 75 $36,964
Olive Hill 1,488 55 $69,063
Vanceburg 1,443 53 $26,369
Cannonsburg 1,426 72 $83,777
Pewee Valley 1,417 116 $139,688
Burkesville 1,407 57 $32,361
Guthrie 1,377 67 $34,803
Clay City 1,352 59 $32,571
Brodhead 1,339 59 $28,523
Beechwood Village 1,305 98 $119,688
Plano 1,293 90 $96,818
Pleasureville 1,286 91 $49,612
Coldstream 1,269 118 $96,417
Cloverport 1,264 48 $34,688
Hebron Estates 1,262 78 $57,375
Wurtland 1,257 60 $56,250
Bellefonte 1,251 107 $114,063
Clinton 1,246 56 $32,991
West Van Lear 1,224 83 $78,625
Hawesville 1,221 65 $51,898
Barbourmeade 1,208 144 $109,800
Verona 1,196 100 $121,250
Annville 1,175 79 $53,421
Muldraugh 1,164 67 $47,059
Clarkson 1,133 59 $28,393
West Point 1,131 60 $37,260
Irvington 1,129 62 $48,750
Earlington 1,113 61 $34,904
Clay 1,112 62 $43,884
Silver Grove 1,104 62 $46,315
Northfield 1,104 119 $110,714
Philpot 1,098 91 $85,833
Lewisburg 1,093 54 $37,684
Heritage Creek 1,090 93 $96,696
Brownsville 1,066 65 $37,500
Bloomfield 1,053 78 $52,679
Burgin 1,046 76 $74,063
Livermore 1,046 52 $24,883
Dixon 1,034 61 $39,464
Campbellsburg 1,034 72 $56,087
Rolling Hills 1,024 82 $99,412
White Plains 1,007 65 $36,800
Goshen 1,004 121 $96,429
Powderly 999 63 $49,653
Hanson 989 69 $90,799
Plantation 978 80 $74,844
Nortonville 949 62 $47,946
South Wallins 948 77 $29,153
Wheelwright 945 55 $58,250
Meadow Vale 943 106 $87,656
Beechmont 940 85 $54,400
Langdon Place 931 91 $101,364
Elkhorn City 911 59 $58,021
Stamping Ground 890 73 $60,000
Bellemeade 889 110 $119,792
Greenup 880 66 $45,625
New Castle 865 66 $33,833
Camargo 858 64 $47,500
Burnside 819 74 $56,563
Pembroke 817 75 $69,196
Perryville 813 57 $60,880
Bromley 812 78 $57,083
McKee 810 50 $20,608
Uniontown 809 61 $49,375
Ferguson 806 62 $33,981
Brooksville 805 61 $55,625
Evarts 804 59 $35,625
New Haven 798 69 $68,977
Auxier 795 82 $113,565
Woodlawn Park 790 113 $98,661
Science Hill 790 68 $53,542
Calhoun 783 59 $51,071
Salem 782 59 $61,250
Whitley City 782 66 $31,250
Frenchburg 773 57 $26,375
Crab Orchard 762 59 $31,397
Inez 760 58 $43,125
Spring Valley 756 106 $156,250
La Center 752 65 $53,056
Garrison 748 76 $36,765
Mortons Gap 746 61 $38,750
Bardwell 744 56 $46,711
Houston Acres 736 109 $104,583
Watterson Park 736 73 $38,984
Milton 734 70 $57,188
Loretto 730 71 $59,028
Pleasant Ridge 729 70 $41,615
Lynch 727 63 $28,958
Blue Ridge Manor 718 104 $68,281
Ryland Heights 712 86 $62,875
Flat Lick 711 78 $15,828
Millersburg 703 62 $43,558
Wickliffe 700 76 $38,125
Park City 693 62 $64,583
Adairville 693 56 $43,661
Seneca Gardens 690 122 $128,750
Crofton 690 61 $43,889
Smiths Grove 684 80 $51,583
Corydon 683 64 $55,655
Wingo 676 61 $46,042
East Bernstadt 673 61 $39,500
North Middletown 657 70 $50,052
Kevil 655 66 $41,250
Whitesville 649 67 $78,333
Hindman 648 58 $23,750
Mayking 645 58 $29,198
Hollow Creek 644 93 $90,938
Fox Chase 637 98 $90,000
Magnolia 637 74 $45,083
Ravenna 632 65 $36,979
Upton 631 66 $45,938
Benham 628 59 $52,652
Woodland Hills 625 105 $86,528
Poplar Hills 623 79 $23,958
Millstone 617 97 $40,325
Island 616 65 $48,875
Parkway Village 613 91 $85,875
Rolling Fields 612 140 $241,250
Glenview 612 160 $250,001
Lynnview 609 81 $56,016
Fincastle 606 100 $85,500
Pathfork 606 75 $45,913
Hustonville 600 53 $40,625
Sonora 597 67 $50,417
Kuttawa 594 94 $63,750
Murray Hill 589 141 $115,625
Artemus 587 79 $25,179
Drakesboro 586 67 $41,500
Chaplin 583 86 $80,250
Green Spring 581 137 $168,750
Betsy Layne 573 79 $31,648
Strathmoor Village 557 118 $97,292
Fleming-Neon 555 57 $37,969
Brownsboro Farm 549 103 $151,250
McDowell 549 78 $35,576
Caneyville 541 61 $25,938
Melbourne 539 65 $66,458
Buffalo 533 71 $30,660
Petersburg 532 91 $123,669
River Bluff 529 107 $139,375
Moorland 528 77 $69,375
Emlyn 527 67 $59,911
Riverwood 525 123 $250,001
Van Lear 520 78 $32,895
Butler 513 70 $43,309
Yelvington 511 84 $50,038
Barlow 508 54 $30,069
Cecilia 499 86 $83,016
Cawood 499 77 $42,604
Loyall 496 57 $31,250
Bancroft 494 102 $102,500
Fordsville 488 49 $33,750
Plum Springs 476 74 $63,250
Robards 474 64 $70,833
Grand Rivers 469 67 $80,000
Westwood 467 100 $105,833
Strathmoor Manor 460 117 $193,125
Ironville 454 96 $38,750
Diablock 452 81 $63,367
Norbourne Estates 447 123 $174,844
Hyden 445 52 $55,000
Wellington 436 120 $96,250
Hazel 428 61 $37,679
Crestview 425 83 $89,583
Eubank 424 63 $43,333
Briarwood 420 93 $74,375
Sharpsburg 418 46 $25,385
Hardin 414 57 $29,688
Martin 412 49 $22,569
Cerulean 409 97 $72,778
Kingsley 407 103 $120,893
Glenview Hills 406 123 $150,938
Bradfordsville 403 78 $32,045
Fredonia 403 64 $67,396
Norwood 395 116 $106,667
Phelps 387 81 $28,542
Sadieville 385 73 $59,688
Creekside 378 97 $130,300
Forest Hills 374 106 $76,667
Meadowview Estates 373 87 $70,469
Sacramento 373 54 $25,455
Old Brownsboro Place 367 110 $156,250
Spring Mill 363 96 $123,750
Waverly 361 64 $61,250
Summersville 360 80 $51,696
Wayland 360 66 $31,042
Gamaliel 359 61 $37,000
Willisburg 359 71 $56,042
McHenry 355 58 $39,583
Hunters Hollow 351 93 $73,929
Hollyvilla 348 87 $56,719
Centertown 347 68 $46,875
Trenton 342 70 $93,750
Lakeview Heights 342 86 $82,917
Warfield 335 61 $82,530
Richlawn 331 123 $121,875
Ezel 327 80 $38,000
Glencoe 325 73 $43,542
Fancy Farm 323 54 $57,536
Brownsboro Village 317 114 $91,250
St. Charles 308 64 $40,000
Woodburn 307 85 $71,667
Fountain Run 306 62 $57,593
Ages 302 78 $45,333
South Williamson 301 86 $116,027
Druid Hills 300 115 $131,250
Goose Creek 300 99 $112,083
Bremen 299 62 $46,324
Salt Lick 290 62 $48,750
Bedford 289 65 $33,750
Bonnieville 287 79 $35,625
Vicco 284 74 $43,558
Pleasant View 281 69 $46,250
Cunningham 276 76 $47,969
Manor Creek 273 101 $162,500
Keene 272 81 $125,341
Ghent 272 73 $50,694
McCarr 260 97 $37,043
Dover 258 58 $65,250
Broeck Pointe 254 103 $108,438
Corinth 254 61 $63,125
Bellewood 251 111 $151,500
Campton 251 74 $25,714
Coldiron 247 79 $57,011
Ewing 245 82 $52,885
Westport 243 85 $51,300
Anthoston 242 97 $41,734
Jeff 239 97 $250,001
Arlington 235 64 $36,250
Mentor 234 89 $99,125
Dunmor 230 59 $42,143
Mackville 227 89 $73,750
Maryhill Estates 226 126 $250,001
Germantown 224 81 $86,250
Nebo 223 69 $47,031
Crossgate 223 102 $140,500
Wallins Creek 221 87 $102,929
Wildwood 220 112 $103,333
Bandana 215 81 $88,889
Sparta 212 67 $43,250
St. Mary 210 87 $60,833
Smithland 209 64 $50,250
Rockport 207 62 $44,063
Knottsville 206 90 $94,926
Fairview 205 97 $56,159
Farmington 205 78 $32,159
Allensville 199 82 $51,000
Prestonville 193 64 $17,315
Rockholds 192 77 $28,158
Glenview Manor 192 119 $146,875
Fairfield 187 98 $88,073
Berry 184 80 $66,000
South Carrollton 180 82 $40,192
Beech Grove 180 83 $145,121
LaFayette 176 70 $50,833
Slaughters 171 69 $47,500
Smithfield 164 73 $49,688
Thornhill 163 106 $151,250
Woodlawn 163 102 $100,625
Manitou 163 83 $108,802
Oneida 158 97 $73,000
Allen 157 86 $33,036
Raywick 157 61 $51,250
Mount Olivet 155 57 $26,786
Livingston 155 50 $28,750
Boston 154 87 $60,486
Salvisa 151 83 $68,958
Belfry 150 82 $145,234
Worthville 147 76 $33,036
Kenton Vale 144 80 $62,083
Hickory Hill 144 96 $98,194
Booneville 142 67 $52,500
Sedalia 136 82 $70,714
Ekron 135 64 $41,250
Hills and Dales 135 113 $106,250
Fairview 135 84 $70,625
Cambridge 134 91 $98,281
Spottsville 130 80 $56,563
Wheatcroft 125 62 $43,750
Mockingbird Valley 122 161 $250,001
Columbus 120 76 $31,875
Meadowbrook Farm 111 94 $94,375
Sycamore 109 88 $70,000
Hardyville 104 83 $73,500
Lincolnshire 104 95 $75,000
Elizaville 102 97 $75,521
Mays Lick 97 97 $39,688
Rosine 95 79 $62,708
Monterey 94 81 $66,458
Hiseville 86 82 $11,563
Gratz 79 97 $96,484
Blandville 72 75 $43,125
California 70 85 $76,875
Woodbury 67 74 $41,875
Sardis 59 81 $35,417
Blaine 58 93 $70,625
Carrsville 40 95 $49,063
Concord 18 81 $53,500