3KY wins
8UT wins
Category Overlay
KentuckyUtah
Category Scores
💰 EconomyUT +46.0
KY
22.7
UT
68.7
🛡️ SafetyKY +14.9
KY
73.7
UT
58.8
🏥 HealthUT +79.6
KY
12.2
UT
91.8
🎓 EducationUT +65.3
KY
28.6
UT
93.9
💼 Fiscal HealthUT +33.0
KY
38.4
UT
71.4
📈 GrowthUT +28.9
KY
32.1
UT
61.0
🏠 AffordabilityKY +22.6
KY
87.6
UT
65.0
🌿 EnvironmentKY +0.4
KY
28.9
UT
28.5
🏞️ Outdoor AccessUT +28.4
KY
9.9
UT
38.3
🚇 TransportationUT +22.6
KY
42.3
UT
64.9
🎭 LivabilityUT +2.9
KY
19.7
UT
22.6
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Kentucky | Utah | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,526,154 | 3,417,734 | KY |
| Median Income | $60,407 | $87,804 | UT |
| Unemployment | 4.5% | 3.2% | UT |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 218 | 228 | KY |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 90 | 95 | KY |
| HS Graduation Rate | 91% | 88% | KY |
| Life Expectancy | 74.6 yr | 79.4 yr | UT |
| Pop Growth | +0.3% | +1.5% | UT |
Kentucky vs Utah: How Do They Compare?
Kentucky ranks #45 overall with a composite score of 38.4, earning a D grade. Utah sits at #4 with 79.3 and a A+ grade. Utah 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 Utah reports 3.2% unemployment and $87,804 median income.
For safety, Kentucky's violent crime rate is 218 per 100K compared to 228 in Utah. Cost of living favors Kentucky with an index of 90 vs 95.
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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