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Kentucky vs New York: taxes, cost of living, laws

Kentucky

Moderate tax burden · COL index 85

Wins 10 categories

VS

New York

High tax burden · COL index 139

Wins 4 categories

New York's top income tax rate is 10.9% vs Kentucky's 4%. Cost of living in New York (index 139) runs 64% higher than Kentucky (index 85). Property taxes are meaningfully different: New York averages 1.4% annually vs Kentucky's 0.78%. The median home in New York costs $470K vs $215K in Kentucky.

Kentucky
New York

Taxes

4%
Income Tax (top rate)
10.9%
0.78%/yr
Property Tax Rate
1.4%/yr
6%
Sales Tax (avg)
8.52%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
No
As income
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

85
COL Index (100=avg)
139
$215K
Median Home Price
$470K
$1,050/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$2,200/mo
$2K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

228
Violent Crime / 100K
379
1,770
Property Crime / 100K
1,480
218
Sex Offenders / 100K
217
114
Homeless / 100K
795

Healthcare

#24 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#15 of 50
73.5 yrs
Life Expectancy
79.3 yrs
6.8%
Uninsured Rate
5.4%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

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

Childcare

$890/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$2,050/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$125/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$175/mo
$400/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$650/mo
#18 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#48 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
A
R+26.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+12.0

Category wins

10

Kentucky

4

New York

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People Also Ask

How does the cost of living compare in Kentucky compared to New York?

The average cost of groceries in New York, NY is 14.2% higher than Lexington, KY. The average cost of utilities in New York, NY is 26.2% higher than Lexington, KY. The average cost of transportation in New York, NY is 22.9% higher than Lexington, KY. The average rent in New York, NY is 271.3% higher than Lexington, KY.

Is living in Kentucky a good place to live?

With a low cost of living and strong community spirit, the state appeals to both families and individuals seeking a balanced lifestyle. Additionally, Kentucky provides access to unique culinary traditions and outdoor activities. Here are 25 reasons why Kentucky is an attractive place to call home.

Where to avoid as a tourist in NYC?

Safety in Harlem and The Bronx As a tourist, you should generally avoid the South Bronx, Mott Haven, Hunts Point or Fordham. Brooklyn also has areas that are not quite as inviting, such as Brownsville. In some neighbourhoods, the location may change depending on the block, so be vigilant.

Which city in Kentucky is considered the best to live in?

Full Kentucky Profile →Full New York Profile →

Your Priorities

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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