D
Kentucky
#45·South
38.4Composite ScoreVSNorth Carolina leads
C+
North Carolina
#27·South
53.7Composite Score2KY wins
9NC wins
Category Overlay
KentuckyNorth Carolina
Category Scores
💰 EconomyNC +20.8
KY
22.7
NC
43.5
🛡️ SafetyKY +22.1
KY
73.7
NC
51.6
🏥 HealthNC +24.5
KY
12.2
NC
36.7
🎓 EducationNC +10.2
KY
28.6
NC
38.8
💼 Fiscal HealthNC +33.1
KY
38.4
NC
71.5
📈 GrowthNC +33.6
KY
32.1
NC
65.7
🏠 AffordabilityKY +12.7
KY
87.6
NC
74.9
🌿 EnvironmentNC +5.7
KY
28.9
NC
34.6
🏞️ Outdoor AccessNC +3.6
KY
9.9
NC
13.5
🚇 TransportationNC +7.5
KY
42.3
NC
49.8
🎭 LivabilityNC +17.7
KY
19.7
NC
37.4
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Kentucky | North Carolina | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,526,154 | 10,835,491 | NC |
| Median Income | $60,407 | $66,880 | NC |
| Unemployment | 4.5% | 3.5% | NC |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 218 | 380 | KY |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 90 | 94 | KY |
| HS Graduation Rate | 91% | 87% | KY |
| Life Expectancy | 74.6 yr | 76.9 yr | NC |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +1.2% | NC |
Kentucky vs North Carolina: How Do They Compare?
Kentucky ranks #45 overall with a composite score of 38.4, earning a D grade. North Carolina sits at #27 with 53.7 and a C+ grade. North Carolina 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 North Carolina reports 3.5% unemployment and $66,880 median income.
For safety, Kentucky's violent crime rate is 218 per 100K compared to 380 in North Carolina. Cost of living favors Kentucky with an index of 90 vs 94.
Explore These States
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