Best Cities for Remote Workers in Kentucky
Kentucky ranks #46 of 50 for remote workers, with a remote workers score of 39.5. Independence is its best city for remote workers at 65.4.
- Kentucky, all states
- #46 of 50
- Population
- 29,392
What Remote Workers Should Know About Kentucky
Kentucky ranks #46 out of 50 for remote workers — a state where remote workers may face some headwinds. Remote work fundamentally changes the relocation calculus: when your salary comes from elsewhere, what matters is how far it stretches locally and how good daily life feels. On that front, Kentucky's cost-of-living index of 90.2 is well below the national average — a remote worker earning a coastal salary here gains significant purchasing power.
The moderate work-from-home rate of 9.5% suggests growing but not yet dominant remote work adoption. Broadband subscriptions reach 90.9% of households, below the 50-state average — check service at a specific address, especially in rural areas.
Taxes are moderate at 8.93% of income — not a major draw but not a dealbreaker. Housing affordability (score: 83/100) is a clear advantage — the typical home is worth $232,577, putting homeownership well within reach.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Remote Workers
| # City | Grade | Remote Workers score | Overall | Affordability | Economy | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Independence | A | 65.4 | 64.4 | 74 | 66 | 29,392 |
| 2Georgetown | B+ | 63.8 | 60.3 | 76 | 56 | 39,117 |
| 3Florence | B+ | 63.7 | 60.5 | 76 | 51 | 32,803 |
| 4Nicholasville | B | 60.9 | 58.0 | 78 | 50 | 32,197 |
| 5Jeffersontown | B+ | 60.3 | 61.1 | 75 | 53 | 29,199 |
| 6Covington | B | 60.2 | 57.5 | 80 | 46 | 41,110 |
| 7Lexington-Fayette urban county | B+ | 59.9 | 59.9 | 75 | 52 | 323,725 |
| 8Elizabethtown | B | 59.9 | 57.4 | 82 | 44 | 32,576 |
| 9Richmond | C+ | 59.4 | 55.5 | 86 | 38 | 37,111 |
| 10Erlanger | B | 58.8 | 58.4 | 80 | 36 | 19,875 |
| 11Frankfort | C+ | 53.6 | 53.8 | 87 | 41 | 28,503 |
| 12Ashland | C | 51.9 | 50.8 | 89 | 35 | 21,295 |
| 13Owensboro | C | 51.7 | 51.6 | 86 | 42 | 60,302 |
| 14Paducah | C | 51.1 | 49.8 | 89 | 39 | 26,845 |
| 15Louisville | C | 50.4 | 50.0 | 78 | 46 | 631,818 |
| 16Radcliff | D | 50.2 | 45.6 | 84 | 21 | 22,864 |
| 17Henderson | C | 49.6 | 49.6 | 90 | 37 | 27,852 |
| 18Bowling Green | C | 49.4 | 50.8 | 81 | 39 | 75,388 |
| 19Hopkinsville | D | 48.1 | 45.9 | 85 | 34 | 30,906 |
| 20Madisonville | D | 46.0 | 46.6 | 89 | 16 | 19,515 |
City remote workers scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Remote Workers Rankings
Also See: Kentucky for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kentucky a good state for remote workers?
Kentucky ranks #46 out of 50 for remote workers with a persona-weighted score of 39.5/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (83/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (10/100).
What is the best city for remote workers in Kentucky?
Independence ranks #1 in Kentucky for remote workers with a score of 65.4/100, followed by Georgetown and Florence.
What factors are most important for remote workers in Kentucky?
Rankings weighted toward affordable cost of living, strong economy, outdoor access, livability, low taxes, and safe communities — what remote workers prioritize when choosing where to live.