Best Cities for Young Professionals in Kentucky
Kentucky ranks #44 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 39.5. Independence is its best city for young professionals at 59.7.
- Kentucky, all states
- #44 of 50
- Population
- 29,392
What Young Professionals Should Know About Kentucky
Kentucky ranks #44 out of 50 for young professionals, suggesting some tradeoffs for career-focused relocators. The state's economy scores 24/100, though with 4.6% unemployment and a median household income of $64,526. Modest population growth of 0.5% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. Kentucky's cost-of-living index of 90.2 is significantly below the national average, meaning entry-level salaries go further here than in most metros. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Kentucky's livability score of 18/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation is car-dependent in most areas (score: 45/100), which is worth factoring into housing location decisions.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Independence | A | 59.7 | 64.4 | 66 | 47 | 33 | 29,392 |
| 2Jeffersontown | B+ | 58.1 | 61.1 | 53 | 36 | 65 | 29,199 |
| 3Florence | B+ | 57.3 | 60.5 | 51 | 53 | 61 | 32,803 |
| 4Georgetown | B+ | 57.3 | 60.3 | 56 | 50 | 45 | 39,117 |
| 5Lexington-Fayette urban county | B+ | 57.0 | 59.9 | 52 | 50 | 53 | 323,725 |
| 6Elizabethtown | B | 56.7 | 57.4 | 44 | 67 | 40 | 32,576 |
| 7Nicholasville | B | 55.7 | 58.0 | 50 | 57 | 45 | 32,197 |
| 8Covington | B | 55.7 | 57.5 | 46 | 46 | 65 | 41,110 |
| 9Richmond | C+ | 54.7 | 55.5 | 38 | 66 | 38 | 37,111 |
| 10Erlanger | B | 51.6 | 58.4 | 36 | 33 | 40 | 19,875 |
| 11Frankfort | C+ | 51.5 | 53.8 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 28,503 |
| 12Owensboro | C | 50.9 | 51.6 | 42 | 45 | 41 | 60,302 |
| 13Louisville | C | 49.6 | 50.0 | 46 | 40 | 43 | 631,818 |
| 14Bowling Green | C | 49.3 | 50.8 | 39 | 42 | 38 | 75,388 |
| 15Henderson | C | 49.3 | 49.6 | 37 | 38 | 41 | 27,852 |
| 16Paducah | C | 49.1 | 49.8 | 39 | 37 | 43 | 26,845 |
| 17Ashland | C | 46.8 | 50.8 | 35 | 30 | 37 | 21,295 |
| 18Hopkinsville | D | 42.4 | 45.9 | 34 | 22 | 38 | 30,906 |
| 19Madisonville | D | 41.9 | 46.6 | 16 | 27 | 33 | 19,515 |
| 20Radcliff | D | 40.5 | 45.6 | 21 | 24 | 32 | 22,864 |
City young professionals 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 Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Kentucky for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kentucky a good state for young professionals?
Kentucky ranks #44 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 39.5/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (83/100) and its weakest is Livability (18/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Kentucky?
Independence ranks #1 in Kentucky for young professionals with a score of 59.7/100, followed by Jeffersontown and Florence.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Kentucky?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.