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Scoring categories
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Rankings are computed from publicly available federal and state government datasets, supplemented by a handful of published indexes (such as the Tax Foundation, Child Care Aware of America and Zillow Research). Figures are used as each source publishes them, including the FBI's own state crime estimates; nothing is synthetic or modeled by us, and every source is cited below.

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS annual averages·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1-year·
  • FBI Crime Data Explorer, estimated crimes by state·
  • CDC NCHS U.S. State Life Tables·
  • CDC BRFSS·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS (table S2701)·
  • NAEP, The Nation's Report Card·
  • EDFacts adjusted cohort graduation rate (NCES)·
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  • Cook Political Report, PVI·
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  • Zillow Research, Zillow Home Value Index·
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  • EPA AirData, Median AQI by County·
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  • FEMA National Risk Index·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS Broadband Subscriptions·
  • National Park Service API·
  • USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1-year Commuting·
  • FHWA Highway Statistics·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns·
  • EIA residential electricity prices·
  • EIA State Energy Data System, motor gasoline prices·
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  • Child Care Aware of America, Price & Supply·
  • Tax Foundation, State Income Tax Rates and Brackets·
  • BEA Regional Price Parities, goods·
  • NCES Common Core of Data (CCD)·
  • EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates·
  • NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33)·
  • BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9)·
  • NASBO Fiscal Survey of States·
  • Census Bureau State Government Finances·
  • Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50·
  • Pew Charitable Trusts, State Pension Funding·
  • S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia·
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES·
  • IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS State-to-State Migration Flows·
  • Zillow Research, Home Values, Rents & Market Metrics·
  • FBI Crime Data Explorer, city police agency reports·
  • CDC PLACES, city health estimates·
  • NOAA U.S. Climate Normals·
  • EPA National Walkability Index
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Home/KY/Best for Remote Workers
Kentucky · best for remote workers · #46 of 50 states

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.

See all 50 states for remote workers →

#1 city in KY for remote workers
Independence65.4
Remote Workers score out of 100
Kentucky, all states
#46 of 50
Population
29,392
Open Independence →
Cost of living
90.2
BEA RPP · 100 = avg
Broadband
90.9%
Households subscribed · Census ACS
Work from home
9.5%
Census ACS
Tax burden
8.93%
% of income
Outdoor score
10/100
Parks + trails + land

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

#  CityGradeRemote Workers scoreOverallAffordabilityEconomyPopulation
1IndependenceA65.464.4746629,392
2GeorgetownB+63.860.3765639,117
3FlorenceB+63.760.5765132,803
4NicholasvilleB60.958.0785032,197
5JeffersontownB+60.361.1755329,199
6CovingtonB60.257.5804641,110
7Lexington-Fayette urban countyB+59.959.97552323,725
8ElizabethtownB59.957.4824432,576
9RichmondC+59.455.5863837,111
10ErlangerB58.858.4803619,875
11FrankfortC+53.653.8874128,503
12AshlandC51.950.8893521,295
13OwensboroC51.751.6864260,302
14PaducahC51.149.8893926,845
15LouisvilleC50.450.07846631,818
16RadcliffD50.245.6842122,864
17HendersonC49.649.6903727,852
18Bowling GreenC49.450.8813975,388
19HopkinsvilleD48.145.9853430,906
20MadisonvilleD46.046.6891619,515

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

  • MississippiRemote Workers score 43.2#41
  • MassachusettsRemote Workers score 42.9#42
  • MichiganRemote Workers score 41.5#43
  • New YorkRemote Workers score 41.4#44

Also See: Kentucky for Other Lifestyles

  • FamiliesFamilies score 65.1#25
  • RetireesRetirees score 47.3#46
  • Young ProfessionalsYoung Professionals score 39.5#44
  • Small BusinessSmall Business score 39.1#43
  • Outdoor EnthusiastsOutdoor Enthusiasts score 28.9#43

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.