11 Pros and Cons of Living in Kentucky
While living in Kentucky is a smart choice for retirees, families with kids still in school may want to reconsider. Check out all the pros and cons here.
Written by Natalie Todoroff
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Table of Contents
- Pro: Major tax breaks for retirees
- Con: Subpar public education
- Pro: It’s got a truly singular culture
- Con: Prepare for some serious storms
- Pro: Lots to explore within and right outside the state
- Con: Get ready for some muggy summers
- Pro: Low cost of living
- Con: The wildlife can be a nuisance
- Pro: You get to experience all four seasons (and fall is particularly nice)
- Pro: The infrastructure is top-notch
- Is Kentucky a good state to live in?
- How to upgrade your car insurance in Kentucky
- FAQs
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Although it ranks 34th for population, Kentucky takes the top spot when it comes to bourbon production, horse racing, and signature bluegrass. But you’ll have to consider other pros and cons of living in Kentucky, including great tax breaks for retirees, Biblical-level storms, and below-average public education.
Moving to Kentucky could be a great or poor decision depending on what you’re looking for in a state. Heading down south to the Bluegrass State has a slew of benefits, but if you’re seriously considering the move, you’ll also need to be aware of the drawbacks.
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Pro: Major tax breaks for retirees
If you’re looking to make a retirement move, your mind probably first goes to
Florida
. But we’d like to make the case for Kentucky—it’s got some amazing benefits for retirees. Let’s look at the cold facts: Kentucky has a flat income tax rate of just 5%, and there’s no tax on social security.
And, if you’re a retiree, up to $31,110 of your retirement income—like money from a pension, 401(k), or a tax-deferred IRA—is also tax exempt.
Whether you’re a retiree looking to upgrade your space or just someone looking to become a homeowner, you’ll also enjoy Kentucky’s low property tax rate of just 0.83%—a good amount lower than the national average of 1.07%.
Con: Subpar public education
While Kentucky may seem like a total dream come true for those looking to retire, families with children may want to think twice about making the move—especially if those children are still in school. The education system in Kentucky leaves much to be desired.
According to a study from WalletHub, the Bluegrass State is ranked 45th out of 50 in terms of educational attainment. It’s the sixth least-educated state in the country with fewer residents possessing associate and bachelor’s degrees.
Those are some depressing numbers, but all in all, the state appears to be actively working to fix the issue.
In recent years, Kentucky’s quality of education has seen drastic improvement. As it stands, the state’s quality of education is now ranked 21st—finally pushing it into the top 50th percentile.
MORE: 9 tips for acing back to school car maintenance
Pro: It’s got a truly singular culture
While there are a myriad of things that make each state unique, there really is no other place quite like Kentucky.
There are many things that only call the Bluegrass State home, like world-class
Kentucky Bourbon
(if it’s made in Kentucky, then it’s not bourbon!), the Kentucky Derby
horse race, and a burning passion for college basketball. If you move, you'll definitely end up having to choose between cheering on University of Kentucky wildcats or the University of Louisville (called U of L) cardinals.
Although there’s no getting around the fact that Kentucky is a Southern state, there’s more to this state than meets the eye. A vast swath of northern Kentucky—mainly
Louisville
and its surrounding area—has a distinctly Midwestern-meets-Southern vibe to it that’s tough to find anywhere else. Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs
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Con: Prepare for some serious storms
While Kentucky is not technically considered a part of Tornado Alley, it still sees its fair share of cyclones. About 21 per year, to be exact, and usually in the months of April and May.
These aren’t the only kinds of weather patterns you’ll need to get used to. If you get a severe storm warning, you should really shelter down. In Kentucky, it’s not out of the ordinary for wind speeds to reach over 100 mph during the state’s 40 to 60 yearly thunderstorms.
Flooding, especially flash flooding, is also a concern for Kentucky homeowners and renters. During the state’s 38 inches of yearly rainfall, flash flooding has been known to wipe away trees, powerlines, homes, and in rare instances, even entire communities.
Pro: Lots to explore within and right outside the state
Kentucky’s centralized location makes it a perfect place to get out of town for a weekend, and an easy place to leave for a road trip down to
Atlanta
or the Gulf Coast. Con: Get ready for some muggy summers
Sure, there may be tons to explore throughout Kentucky, but you’ll need to be mindful when you plan your trip. Summers in Kentucky are hot and humid.
Get used to 95°F days in July and early August and overall summer temperature averages of 87°F. The UV index tends to skew higher in Kentucky even on cloudier days, so wearing SPF is an absolute must.
Temperatures don’t begin to taper off until late September, and the summertime humidity is a sweltering 70%. Bringing a water bottle around with you is a smart idea, as is cooling off in a nearby pool or lake.
Pro: Low cost of living
If you’re willing to put up with sticky summer weather, you’ll be in for a sweet financial reward. With a cost of living index of just 83.6, living in Kentucky costs about 16% less than the rest of the country. For context, the national average cost of living index is an even 100.
Both renting and owning are affordable in Kentucky. The state’s typical home value currently sits at $198,926 and median rent is just $763 per month. And with median household income at $52,238, you can make living in Kentucky work at many different budgets.
Con: The wildlife can be a nuisance
This one can technically be a pro depending on how you look at it, but if you live in Kentucky, be prepared to come across some wildlife. Large deer populations are a part of what make the state so attractive to hunters, but they can be a total pain for drivers.
Naturally, there are more concentrated populations of deer in some of Kentucky’s more rural areas. But even if you’re in a suburb, be prepared to make them a familiar sight.
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Pro: You get to experience all four seasons (and fall is particularly nice)
Kentucky isn’t the only state that can boast having all four seasons, but it bears mentioning in Kentucky. And yes, while the summers here may be hot, if you can stick them out you’ll be rewarded with some stunning fall foliage, blossoming springs, and short winters.
We’d really like to take a moment and harp about just how spectacular the fall season is in Kentucky. It’s the season that sees the least amount of rainfall—meaning those gorgeous autumn leaves stay on the trees longer.
Fall is also one of the sunnier seasons in Kentucky, and whether you take a drive through horse country or head further east towards the Appalachian trail, you wombat be disappointed with what you see.
Pro: The infrastructure is top-notch
Let’s end this list on a high note: in 2019, Kentucky was ranked second in a list of the best roads in the nation, losing the top spot to its northern neighbor
Indiana
by a hair. Only 6.8% of the roads in Kentucky are considered in unacceptable condition, which is significantly lower than the national average of 19.9%.
Good roads can make all the difference not only in the quality of your ride, but also in your vehicle’s routine expenses. Think about it: the better the roads, the less wear and tear your vehicle will ensure.
Your tires will last longer, your won’t wear out your brakes as quickly, and you’ll ultimately make fewer trips to a mechanic.
Is Kentucky a good state to live in?
We can’t tell you what’s best for your life, but we can help give you enough information to hopefully steer you in the right direction. Overall, Kentucky is a really great state to live in, but living there still has its drawbacks.
We’d highly recommend that retirees, car owners, bourbon enthusiasts, and those looking for a state with a culture apart from the rest make the move down to the Bluegrass State.
However, families with children still in school and people who can’t stand a hot and humid summer may want to consider other states.
How to upgrade your car insurance in Kentucky
Depending on your specific financial situation, you can really maximize saving money by moving to Kentucky. With awesome tax breaks for some residents and a generally low cost of living, your dollar goes a long way in the Bluegrass State.
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The best part? The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year when they switch!
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FAQs
What are winters like in Kentucky?
As a whole, Kentucky winters are cold but not long. Nightime temperatures in January can drop to 23°F, but statewide temperatures rarely dip below 0°F. Things begin to thaw and blossom by late March and early April.
Is Kentucky in tornado alley?
Although Kentucky is not technically within the borders of what meteorologists consider tornado alley, it still sees its fair share of cyclones throughout the year.
Tornadoes are most common in the spring months of April and May, and the state usually sees about 20 or so per year.
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