Moving to Kentucky: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Kentucky, you’re not alone. The Bluegrass State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Louisville and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Kentucky, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Kentucky to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Kentucky
Like any big move, relocating to Kentucky comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Bluegrass State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in KY
- ✓Low cost of living
- ✓Abundant outdoor adventures
- ✓Delicious food and drink
- ✓Horse racing
- ✓Four season weather
Cons of living in KY
- ✖Extreme weather
- ✖Low diversity
- ✖Poor air quality
- ✖Poor infrastructure
- ✖Poor education system
Things to do in Kentucky
Whether you’re moving to Kentucky work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Kentucky has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Kentucky
- Mammoth Cave National Park
- Churchill Downs
- Kentucky Horse Park
- Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
- Daniel Boone National Forest
- Creation Museum
- Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
- Louisville Zoo
- Newport Aquarium
- Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay
Museums in Kentucky
- Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
- Kentucky Derby Museum
- Ark Encounter
- National Corvette Museum
- The National Quilt Museum
- Kentucky Horse Park
- Conrad-Caldwell House Museum (Conrad’s Castle)
- Muhammad Ali Center
- Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum
- Dinosaur World
Parks in Kentucky
- Smothers Park
- Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park
- Natural Bridge State Resort Park
- Red River Gorge Geological Area
- Freeman Lake Park
- Boone County Veterans Memorial Park
- The Parklands of Floyds Fork
- Louisville Waterfront Park
- Devou Park
- Iroquois Park
Fun facts about Kentucky
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Kentucky, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- The Kentucky Derby, held in Louisville, is the oldest horse race held continuously in the world. It is also the first and most famous leg of the Triple Crown.
- Every single Post-It note originates in Cynthiana, Kentucky.
- Vent Haven Museum, in Fort Mitchell, is the place where you can find the world’s largest collection of ventriloquist dummies
- At the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in Frankfort, a giant sundial’s shadow touches the name of each veteran on the date of the person’s death.
- Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was famously born in Kentucky, but so was the other commander of the Civil War, Jefferson Davis. Hodgenville and Fairview, respectively, were their birthplaces.
- Every Corvette in the world has been manufactured in Bowling Green since 1981. This manufacturing facility has produced over 1 million Corvettes since its startup. On June 1, 1981, the first Corvette was rolled out of the assembly line at the plant.
- A lot of states have cities named Washington in honor of the first president of the United States, but Washington, Kentucky was the first.
- Middlesboro has one of the most unique city origins in the United States. The city is built inside a crater created by a meteor.
- Kentucky Fried Chicken originated in the Corbin, where Colonel Sanders developed the recipe that would launch one of the biggest fast food chains in the world.
Kentucky population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Kentucky, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Bluegrass State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Kentucky, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Population | 4,526,154 |
| Female | 50.4% |
| Male | 49.6% |
| College graduation rate | 26.98% |
| Political leaning | Republican 64.6-33.9 |
| Crime index | 16.63 |
Kentucky weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Kentucky is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Kentucky aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 24ºF |
| Annual rain | 48″ |
| Annual snow | 11″ |
Income and cost of living in Kentucky
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Kentucky.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Kentucky and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Manufacturing ($37.7 billion, #22 among all states)
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($21.6 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($20 billion)
- Professional and business services ($17.9 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($14.2 billion, #24)
- Retail trade ($12.2 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($12.1 billion)
- Transportation and warehousing ($10.4 billion)
- Construction ($8.7 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($7.9 billion)
| Metric | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $902 |
| Average home cost | $212,088 |
| Average income (per capita) | $60,183 |
| Cost of living index* | 93 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 4.0% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Kentucky
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Kentucky has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Kentucky:
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville
- Western Kentucky University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Georgetown College
- Northern Kentucky University
- Berea College
- Murray State University
- Bellarmine University
- Morehead State University
- Kentucky State University
- Centre College
- Transylvania University
- Asbury University
- Campbellsville University
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Kentucky
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Bluegrass State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
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Cost of moving to Kentucky
Before you take the leap to Kentucky, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Kentucky
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Kentucky.
Kentucky car insurance requirements
Kentucky drivers license requirements
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