2KY wins
9MD wins
Category Overlay
KentuckyMaryland
Category Scores
💰 EconomyMD +60.9
KY
22.7
MD
83.6
🛡️ SafetyKY +20.6
KY
73.7
MD
53.1
🏥 HealthMD +73.5
KY
12.2
MD
85.7
🎓 EducationMD +38.7
KY
28.6
MD
67.3
💼 Fiscal HealthMD +16.6
KY
38.4
MD
55.0
📈 GrowthMD +10.1
KY
32.1
MD
42.2
🏠 AffordabilityKY +33.0
KY
87.6
MD
54.6
🌿 EnvironmentMD +17.2
KY
28.9
MD
46.1
🏞️ Outdoor AccessMD +1.9
KY
9.9
MD
11.8
🚇 TransportationMD +6.2
KY
42.3
MD
48.5
🎭 LivabilityMD +3.2
KY
19.7
MD
22.9
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Kentucky | Maryland | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,526,154 | 6,180,253 | MD |
| Median Income | $60,407 | $98,461 | MD |
| Unemployment | 4.5% | 2.9% | MD |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 218 | 415 | KY |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 90 | 104 | KY |
| HS Graduation Rate | 91% | 88% | KY |
| Life Expectancy | 74.6 yr | 78 yr | MD |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +0.7% | MD |
Kentucky vs Maryland: How Do They Compare?
Kentucky ranks #45 overall with a composite score of 38.4, earning a D grade. Maryland sits at #17 with 67.7 and a B+ grade. Maryland has the edge overall, winning 9 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Kentucky has 4.5% unemployment and a $60,407 median income, while Maryland reports 2.9% unemployment and $98,461 median income.
For safety, Kentucky's violent crime rate is 218 per 100K compared to 415 in Maryland. Cost of living favors Kentucky with an index of 90 vs 104.
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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