2KY wins
9MN wins
Category Overlay
KentuckyMinnesota
Category Scores
💰 EconomyMN +40.9
KY
22.7
MN
63.6
🛡️ SafetyKY +9.0
KY
73.7
MN
64.7
🏥 HealthMN +77.6
KY
12.2
MN
89.8
🎓 EducationMN +59.2
KY
28.6
MN
87.8
💼 Fiscal HealthMN +20.8
KY
38.4
MN
59.2
📈 GrowthMN +9.9
KY
32.1
MN
42.0
🏠 AffordabilityKY +24.7
KY
87.6
MN
62.9
🌿 EnvironmentMN +22.1
KY
28.9
MN
51.0
🏞️ Outdoor AccessMN +20.8
KY
9.9
MN
30.7
🚇 TransportationMN +18.8
KY
42.3
MN
61.1
🎭 LivabilityMN +24.9
KY
19.7
MN
44.6
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Kentucky | Minnesota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,526,154 | 5,737,915 | MN |
| Median Income | $60,407 | $85,551 | MN |
| Unemployment | 4.5% | 3.4% | MN |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 218 | 256 | KY |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 90 | 98 | KY |
| HS Graduation Rate | 91% | 84% | KY |
| Life Expectancy | 74.6 yr | 79.8 yr | MN |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +0.6% | MN |
Kentucky vs Minnesota: How Do They Compare?
Kentucky ranks #45 overall with a composite score of 38.4, earning a D grade. Minnesota sits at #6 with 76.7 and a A grade. Minnesota 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 Minnesota reports 3.4% unemployment and $85,551 median income.
For safety, Kentucky's violent crime rate is 218 per 100K compared to 256 in Minnesota. Cost of living favors Kentucky with an index of 90 vs 98.
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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