Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
South · East South Central

Cost of living in Kentucky

Rent, taxes, earnings and more across all 120 Kentucky counties.

Avg. 1-bed rent
$776/mo
Avg. household income
$55,909/yr
Avg. home value
$150,167
Avg. monthly cost
$2,691/mo
Cheapest county
Whitley County
$2,418/mo for a single person
Most expensive county
Oldham County
$3,364/mo for a single person

Last updated May 21, 2026

Taxes in Kentucky

State income, sales and local tax rates.

State income tax
4.00%
Flat rate

Kentucky has a flat state income tax rate of 4%.

State sales tax
6.00%
Combined sales tax
6.00%
incl. average local of 0.00%

Use our salary calculator to see your take-home pay in Kentucky

Tax information is for general reference. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation.

Rent in Kentucky

The average one-bedroom rent across Kentucky is $776/mo. Rent varies from $661/mo in Butler County to $1,094/mo in Spencer County.

Cheapest rent

Most expensive rent

Cheapest places to live in Kentucky

Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.

Rankings include rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes. See our methodology.

Most expensive places to live in Kentucky

Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.

Highest earning counties in Kentucky

Top 10 by average household income.

All 120 counties in Kentucky

Sorted by population. Type to filter.

Compare any two areas in Kentucky

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

Open comparison tool

Frequently asked questions about Kentucky

Common questions about cost of living, taxes and rent.

What is the cost of living in Kentucky?

The average cost of living in Kentucky is approximately $2,691 per month for a single person. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare and taxes. Costs range from $2,418/mo in Whitley County to $3,364/mo in Oldham County.

What is the average rent in Kentucky?

The average one-bedroom rent in Kentucky is $776 per month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data across all 120 counties.

What is the average salary in Kentucky?

The average household income in Kentucky is $55,909 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Does Kentucky have state income tax?

Yes, Kentucky has a flat state income tax of 4%.

What is the sales tax in Kentucky?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Kentucky averages 6.00%. The state rate is 6.00% with an average local addition of 0.00%.

What are the cheapest places to live in Kentucky?

The cheapest counties to live in Kentucky based on overall monthly costs are: 1. Wolfe County ($2,316/mo), 2. Lee County ($2,381/mo), 3. Whitley County ($2,418/mo), 4. Clinton County ($2,419/mo), 5. Adair County ($2,423/mo).

What are the most expensive places to live in Kentucky?

The most expensive counties to live in Kentucky based on overall monthly costs are: 1. Oldham County ($3,364/mo), 2. Spencer County ($3,220/mo), 3. Boone County ($3,162/mo), 4. Bullitt County ($3,135/mo), 5. Scott County ($3,125/mo).

Use this research

Journalists, researchers and bloggers are welcome to cite and share this analysis. Please include a follow link back to this page when referencing our data. For bespoke analysis, expert comment, or high-resolution graphics, get in touch via our press office.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources.

  • U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates)
  • HUD Fair Market Rents FY2025
  • Energy Information Administration (EIA)
  • Tax Foundation state and local rates
Methodology All data sources