Kentucky
Kentucky ranks #45 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 39.1/100 and a D grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (88/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (10/100).
How Does Kentucky Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Kentucky
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 465 | Independence | B | 53.8 | 29,024 | $98,653 | 74.3 | 94.1 |
| 604 | Elizabethtown | C+ | 50.7 | 31,870 | $56,250 | 146.2 | 89.4 |
| 616 | Georgetown | C+ | 50.4 | 38,206 | $78,373 | 124.7 | 97.6 |
| 638 | Erlanger | C+ | 49.8 | 19,677 | $78,420 | 156.4 | — |
| 656 | Nicholasville | C | 49.5 | 31,625 | $67,514 | 126.6 | — |
| 697 | Florence | C | 48.4 | 32,334 | $68,508 | 149 | 94.1 |
| 767 | Covington | C | 46.4 | 40,902 | $58,814 | 302.7 | 94.1 |
| 788 | Madisonville | C | 45.6 | 19,442 | $56,902 | 125.9 | — |
| 801 | Richmond | D | 45.3 | 35,498 | $48,223 | 236.1 | 91 |
| 807 | Frankfort | D | 45.0 | 28,452 | $54,438 | 236.9 | — |
| 820 | Bowling Green | D | 44.6 | 76,215 | $47,813 | 241.5 | 90.5 |
| 823 | Jeffersontown | D | 44.5 | 28,988 | $78,185 | 105.3 | — |
| 879 | Ashland | D | 42.5 | 21,405 | $52,199 | 193.2 | 88.4 |
| 886 | Radcliff | D | 42.3 | 22,967 | $60,976 | 253.1 | — |
| 891 | Owensboro | D | 42.0 | 60,112 | $53,295 | 332 | 90 |
| 901 | Henderson | D | 41.5 | 27,994 | $47,176 | 298.4 | 97.4 |
| 920 | Lexington-Fayette urban county | D | 40.8 | 320,154 | $66,392 | 258.5 | — |
| 921 | Paducah | D | 40.8 | 26,894 | $51,243 | 333.4 | — |
| 922 | Louisville | D | 40.7 | 622,987 | $61,488 | 781.2 | 94 |
| 958 | Hopkinsville | F | 38.2 | 31,011 | $47,428 | 357.1 | — |
Best Cities in Kentucky for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Independence | 58.6 | 56.2 | 98.5 | 79.5 |
| 2 | Elizabethtown | 58.3 | 58.3 | 90.7 | 83.6 |
| 3 | Erlanger | 57.3 | 64.4 | 93.3 | 75.7 |
| 4 | Georgetown | 56.2 | 56.7 | 89.2 | 78.7 |
| 5 | Nicholasville | 56.1 | 64.4 | 86.4 | 74.9 |
More South States
Kentucky Rankings Overview
Kentucky earns an overall grade of D with a composite score of 39.1 out of 100, ranking #45 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (88/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (10/100).
Economy & Employment in Kentucky
With an unemployment rate of 4.5% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Kentucky performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $60,407, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Kentucky
Kentucky's violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Kentucky
Kentucky ranks #44 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #36 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Kentucky is 74.6 years, and the high school graduation rate is 91%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Kentucky
Kentucky's total tax burden is 8.93% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 6.2%. The effective property tax rate is 0.8% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 6%.
Housing & Affordability in Kentucky
The median home price in Kentucky is $263,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 90 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
Environment in Kentucky
Kentucky has a median air quality index of 41 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 9% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 33.6 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in Kentucky
Kentucky's population growth rate is +0.3% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +1.6 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 88.4% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Kentucky
The top-ranked cities in Kentucky based on our composite scoring are Independence, Elizabethtown, and Georgetown. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Kentucky.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kentucky's overall ranking?
Kentucky ranks #45 out of 50 states with a composite score of 39.1/100 and a grade of D.
Is Kentucky a good place to live?
Kentucky faces several challenges, scoring 39.1/100 in our composite rankings. Areas such as crime rates and economic indicators trail the national average, though the state offers its own unique qualities and ongoing improvement efforts.
What is the crime rate in Kentucky?
The violent crime rate in Kentucky is 218 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Kentucky's economy compare?
Kentucky's median household income is $60,407 with an unemployment rate of 4.5%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Kentucky?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Kentucky are Independence, Elizabethtown, and Georgetown.
How does Kentucky rank for families?
Kentucky ranks #36 of 50 states for families with a score of 50.4/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Kentucky rank for retirees?
Kentucky ranks #44 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 46.3/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Kentucky rank for remote workers?
Kentucky ranks #46 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 46.4/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.