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Kentucky

Moderate tax burden · COL index 85

Wins 9 categories

VS

New York

Very 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

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

9

Kentucky

4

New York

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People Also Ask

Is Kentucky cheaper than New York?

Overall cost of living in New York, NY is 159.7% higher than in Lexington, KY. The average listing price for a home in New York, NY is $3,020,778, which is 681.1% higher than Lexington, KY. The average cost of groceries in New York, NY is 16.2% higher than Lexington, KY.

Is moving to Kentucky a good idea?

What is the leading cause of death in KY?

Is $70,000 a good salary in New York?

Is 70k enough to live in NYC? Living in New York City on a $70,000 salary is possible but requires budgeting. Rent will likely be your most significant expense, with affordable housing typically found in Queens or Brooklyn, where a one-bedroom can cost $2,000-$3,000 per month.

Full Kentucky Profile →Full New York Profile →

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

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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