Kentucky residents enjoy a cost of living that's 16.4% lower than the United States erage. Costs such as groceries, health care, housing, utilities, and transportation are all cheaper in Kentucky than in the rest of the country. Even major cities like Lexington and Louisville are 10.9% and 11.6% lower than the national erage. Other municipalities, such as Bardstown and Frankfort, are 17.4% and 20.9% lower than the U.S. erage.
Average Home Prices in Kentucky
You'll he an easy time finding an affordable house in Kentucky. The median cost of a home in the state is $146,400, nearly $85,000 lower than the U.S. erage of $231,200. You'll pay $185,700 in Lexington and $135,900 in Frankfort, both of which are well below the country's erage. Though prices vary by city, Kentucky is an excellent state for people looking for an affordable rent-to-own home.
Kentucky Statistics
If you're interested in Kentucky rent-to-own homes, don't forget to consider important factors in addition to monthly living costs, such as erage commute, taxes, crime rates, etc. The following are some common Kentucky statistics compared to the U.S. national erage.
Kentucky Averages National Averages One-Way Commute 23.1 minutes 26.4 minutes Violent Crime 15.2 22.7 Property Crime 32.4 35.4 Unemployment Rate 5.1% 3.9% Income Tax Rate 5.8% 4.6% Air Quality 62 58 Water Quality 64 55 Median Household Income $43,342 $53,482 Median Property Taxes $840 $2,200 Utilities $600/month $112/month Monthly Rent $740 $1,470 Median Home Cost $146,400 $231,200 Median Home Age 38 years 40 years
Popular Kentucky Cities
People usually associate bourbon with Kentucky. But if you want to get specific, Bardstown is the official bourbon capital of the world. The city's history of distilling the spirit dates back to 1789 when Elijah Craig began making the popular drink for locals. The municipality maintains hundreds of old structures that are still in operation. You can eat, sleep, and grab a few shots of good old bourbon at the Talbott Tern, established in 1779. Wickland, a mansion built in the 1820s, housed three of Kentucky's governors. Now a museum, the My Old Kentucky Home is part of the Rowan family plantation from the early 1800s.
Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky. It is a small town with only 27,755 residents and encompasses 14.32 square miles. Larger municipalities such as Louisville and Lexington vied to take over as Kentucky's capital, but Frankfort kept the title because of its more central location. The capitol building, built in 1910, is an impressive structure with 70 columns, a dome, and lots of sculptures and murals. The city's primary industries include government, education, health care, social services, manufacturing, and retail trade.
Louisville has 617,638 residents spread over 325 square miles, making it both the largest and most populous city in Kentucky. It is the home of the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Derby Festival, but the city is more than just fun and games. Louisville played a major role in Kentucky's history, including serving as a base for the Union during the Civil War. While the city is steeped in history and culture, it is also a regional financial hub with a diverse economy. Located along the Ohio River, Louisville offers its residents a pleasant mix of fun and recreation, jobs, and affordable living.
Popular Amenities and Attractions in Kentucky
Although Kentucky is known for the Kentucky Derby and bourbon, the state has plenty more to offer. The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum will teach you all about the history of music while showcasing the careers of dozens of successful local musicians. The Muhammed Ali Center preserves the legacy of the great boxer and aims to inspire people to do their best.
Visit the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum to learn all about Native American and pioneer history in the region, the timber and logging industry in the 1800s, the Civil War, the Coal Rush, and the story of the Hatfields and McCoys. The Hatfield-McCoy Feud Driving Tour guides you through the area of the famous feud between the two families, which lasted more than a decade. You can learn a lot about the era and see where the actual events took place.
Mammoth Ce National Park is home to the largest network of ces in the world. The park has an endless variety of recreational opportunities. Some of the options include over 80 miles of hiking and biking trails, ce tours, horseback riding, canoeing, and kayaking. If you're looking to spend the night in the park, you can stay at the Lodge at Mammoth Ce, where you can choose between modern hotel rooms and historic cottages. Or bre the outdoors at one of the park's 13 backcountry or riverside campsites.