3KY wins
8OK wins
Category Overlay
KentuckyOklahoma
Category Scores
💰 EconomyOK +17.3
KY
22.7
OK
40.0
🛡️ SafetyKY +33.2
KY
73.7
OK
40.5
🏥 HealthKY +2.0
KY
12.2
OK
10.2
🎓 EducationKY +6.2
KY
28.6
OK
22.4
💼 Fiscal HealthOK +20.0
KY
38.4
OK
58.4
📈 GrowthOK +17.2
KY
32.1
OK
49.3
🏠 AffordabilityOK +3.2
KY
87.6
OK
90.8
🌿 EnvironmentOK +8.4
KY
28.9
OK
37.3
🏞️ Outdoor AccessOK +2.8
KY
9.9
OK
12.7
🚇 TransportationOK +1.3
KY
42.3
OK
43.6
🎭 LivabilityOK +10.8
KY
19.7
OK
30.5
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Kentucky | Oklahoma | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,526,154 | 4,019,800 | KY |
| Median Income | $60,407 | $60,528 | OK |
| Unemployment | 4.5% | 3.3% | OK |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 218 | 434 | KY |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 90 | 88 | OK |
| HS Graduation Rate | 91% | 86% | KY |
| Life Expectancy | 74.6 yr | 75 yr | OK |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +0.6% | OK |
Kentucky vs Oklahoma: How Do They Compare?
Kentucky ranks #45 overall with a composite score of 38.4, earning a D grade. Oklahoma sits at #42 with 41.5 and a C grade. Oklahoma has the edge overall, winning 8 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, Kentucky has 4.5% unemployment and a $60,407 median income, while Oklahoma reports 3.3% unemployment and $60,528 median income.
For safety, Kentucky's violent crime rate is 218 per 100K compared to 434 in Oklahoma. Cost of living favors Oklahoma with an index of 88 vs 90.
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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