Kentucky vs Virginia: taxes, cost of living, laws

Kentucky

Moderate tax burden · COL index 85

Wins 7 categories

Virginia

Moderate tax burden · COL index 102

Wins 7 categories

Virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75% vs Kentucky's 4%. Cost of living in Virginia (index 102) runs 20% higher than Kentucky (index 85). The median home in Virginia costs $390K vs $215K in Kentucky. Politically, Kentucky voted Republican in 2024 (R+26.0) while Virginia went Democratic (D+3.0).

Kentucky

Virginia

Taxes

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

0.78%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.74%/yr

Sales Tax (avg)

5.73%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

COL Index (100=avg)

102

$215K

Median Home Price

$390K

$1,050/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,700/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

228

Violent Crime / 100K

197

1,770

Property Crime / 100K

1,617

218

Sex Offenders / 100K

341

114

Homeless / 100K

Healthcare

#24 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#16 of 50

73.5 yrs

Life Expectancy

77.9 yrs

6.8%

Uninsured Rate

8.1%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#34 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#10 of 50

Yes

School Choice / Vouchers

Childcare

$890/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,550/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$125/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$140/mo

$400/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$530/mo

#18 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#13 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

A-

R+26.0

2024 Presidential Margin

D+3.0

Category wins

Kentucky

Virginia

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