Cost of Living in Kentucky
Updated November 2026 · population 4,534,824
Kentucky prices are 9.8% below the US average (index 90.2), ranking 40th most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest saving at 64.3, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,213 a month.
Prices by category
Kentucky price index by category, US average = 100: All items 90.2, Housing (rents) 64.3, Goods 96.0, Utilities 75.3, Other services 97.3
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Kentucky (whole state) | 90.2 |
| Metropolitan areas of Kentucky | 92.6 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Kentucky | 85.3 |
Cities in Kentucky
Select a column heading to sort.
| Louisville | 631,818 | 92.9 | $2,346 | $4,815 | $1,120 | $233,900 |
| Lexington | 323,725 | 93.2 | $2,402 | $4,976 | $1,164 | $293,500 |
| Bowling Green | 75,388 | 90.8 | $2,261 | $4,665 | $998 | $241,900 |
| Owensboro | 60,302 | 89.3 | $2,061 | $4,495 | $905 | $178,900 |
| Covington | 41,110 | 92.8 | $2,290 | $4,752 | $1,006 | $187,300 |
| Madisonville | 19,515 | 88.7 | $1,923 | $4,383 | $838 | $164,100 |
Metro areas in Kentucky
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 95.4 | 87.6 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 93.1 | 78.6 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 92.9 | 77.1 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 90.9 | 73.8 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | 90.6 | 66.7 |
| Bowling Green, KY | 90.2 | 63.4 |
| Owensboro, KY | 88.6 | 55.7 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 88.4 | 51.3 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | 86.1 | 48.8 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Kentucky.
Modelled monthly budget at Kentucky average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Kentucky (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $635 | $7,620 | 29% |
| Utilities | $224 | $2,688 | 10% |
| Food at home | $271 | $3,252 | 12% |
| Transportation | $580 | $6,960 | 26% |
| Health care | $342 | $4,104 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $161 | $1,932 | 7% |
| Total | $2,213 | $26,556 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Kentucky (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $769 | $9,228 | 21% |
| Utilities | $354 | $4,248 | 10% |
| Food at home | $500 | $6,000 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,146 | $13,752 | 31% |
| Health care | $634 | $7,608 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $317 | $3,804 | 9% |
| Total | $3,720 | $44,640 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Kentucky (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $883 | $10,596 | 19% |
| Utilities | $431 | $5,172 | 9% |
| Food at home | $713 | $8,556 | 16% |
| Transportation | $1,527 | $18,324 | 34% |
| Health care | $590 | $7,080 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $409 | $4,908 | 9% |
| Total | $4,553 | $54,636 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
13.80¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +5.3% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +45.0% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the South region rose +3.4% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 89.6 | 89.1 | 89.2 | 89.4 | 89.9 | 90.2 |
Change over the period: +0.6 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kentucky an expensive state to live in?
Kentucky has a cost of living index of 90.2 (US = 100), 9.8% below the US average. It ranks 40th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 64.3 (rank 45), goods 96.0, utilities 75.3 and other services 97.3. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Kentucky?
At Kentucky state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,213 for a single adult, $3,720 for a couple and $4,553 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 92.6 and nonmetro areas 85.3.
What is the median rent and home value in Kentucky?
The median gross rent in Kentucky is $967 a month and the median home value is $205,600 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 28.1% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 21.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, South region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology