8IN wins
3KY wins
Category Overlay
IndianaKentucky
Category Scores
💰 EconomyIN +19.7
IN
42.4
KY
22.7
🛡️ SafetyKY +15.8
IN
57.9
KY
73.7
🏥 HealthIN +8.2
IN
20.4
KY
12.2
🎓 EducationIN +22.4
IN
51.0
KY
28.6
💼 Fiscal HealthIN +26.9
IN
65.3
KY
38.4
📈 GrowthIN +10.6
IN
42.7
KY
32.1
🏠 AffordabilityKY +6.4
IN
81.2
KY
87.6
🌿 EnvironmentIN +9.5
IN
38.4
KY
28.9
🏞️ Outdoor AccessKY +0.1
IN
9.8
KY
9.9
🚇 TransportationIN +0.9
IN
43.2
KY
42.3
🎭 LivabilityIN +15.3
IN
35.0
KY
19.7
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Indiana | Kentucky | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,862,199 | 4,526,154 | IN |
| Median Income | $65,870 | $60,407 | IN |
| Unemployment | 3.5% | 4.5% | IN |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 361 | 218 | KY |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 92 | 90 | KY |
| HS Graduation Rate | 87% | 91% | KY |
| Life Expectancy | 76.4 yr | 74.6 yr | IN |
| Pop Growth | +0.6% | +0.3% | IN |
Indiana vs Kentucky: How Do They Compare?
Indiana ranks #32 overall with a composite score of 50.7, earning a C+ grade. Kentucky sits at #45 with 38.4 and a D grade. Indiana has the edge overall, winning 8 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Indiana has 3.5% unemployment and a $65,870 median income, while Kentucky reports 4.5% unemployment and $60,407 median income.
For safety, Indiana's violent crime rate is 361 per 100K compared to 218 in Kentucky. Cost of living favors Kentucky with an index of 90 vs 92.
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Data Sources
📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2023📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration 2022-2023