← All States

Idaho

Moderate tax burden · COL index 96

Wins 4 categories

VS

Kentucky

Moderate tax burden · COL index 85

Wins 8 categories

Idaho's top income tax rate is 5.8% vs Kentucky's 4%. Cost of living in Idaho (index 96) runs 13% higher than Kentucky (index 85). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Kentucky averages 0.78% annually vs Idaho's 0.48%. The median home in Idaho costs $425K vs $215K in Kentucky.

Idaho
Kentucky

Taxes

5.8%
Income Tax (top rate)
4%
0.48%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.78%/yr
6.02%
Sales Tax (avg)
6%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

96
COL Index (100=avg)
85
$425K
Median Home Price
$215K
$1,500/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,050/mo
$800/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

228
Violent Crime / 100K
228
1,535
Property Crime / 100K
1,770

Healthcare

#32 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#24 of 50
77.7 yrs
Life Expectancy
73.5 yrs
9%
Uninsured Rate
6.8%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#30 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#34 of 50
No
School Choice / Vouchers
Yes

Childcare

$960/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$890/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$105/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$125/mo
$480/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$400/mo
#20 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#18 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
F
R+30.0
2024 Presidential Margin
R+26.0

Category wins

4

Idaho

8

Kentucky

Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.

Score For My Profile →

People Also Ask

What are the drawbacks of living in Idaho?

Why are Texans moving to Idaho?

Moving from Texas to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho is a popular relocation choice for buyers looking for more space, a slower pace of life, and a lifestyle centered around lakes, mountains, and outdoor living.

What's so great about living in Idaho?

Why are people moving to Idaho?

Full Idaho Profile →Full Kentucky Profile →

Your Priorities

Adjust and every page updates live

Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable