Best Places to Live in Kentucky

So, you’re thinking about moving to Kentucky? Maybe you want to relocate and make a career change. You also may be looking for an affordable city to raise a family (Kentucky is full of those!) or a good retirement destination.

If you’re considering a move to Kentucky—the land of horse racing, college basketball, fried chicken and quilts (more on that later)—you’ll need to make sure you choose an area that fits your budget, personality, and any other needs you and your family have.

So, to give you a peek at some of your options, let’s take a look at 10 of the best places in Kentucky to live.

Where Are the Best Places to Live in Kentucky?

The best place for you and your family to live in Kentucky (or anywhere else, for that matter) will depend on your individual situation and preferences. Your income, age, the size of your family, and whether you prefer big cities or small towns will all play a role in which city you’d most enjoy living in.

As you go through this list (which is in no particular order), think about which city is the best fit for you.

Lexington

Up first on our list is Lexington, which is where you’ll find the University of Kentucky. Because Lexington is home to Kentucky’s biggest university, it features many of the traditional college-town staples.

Looking for bookstores? Lexington has plenty of those, the coolest of which is the two-story Joseph-Beth Booksellers. Coffee shops? Head to the Lussi Brown Coffee Bar for one of their strong coffee creations or their wide variety of cocktails. Restaurants? Stop by Stella’s Kentucky Deli to enjoy one of their many farm-fresh menu items.

Lexington also has a cost of living that’s 7% below the national average, so moving there is affordable for most people.¹

Population	320,3472
Median Household Income	$62,9083
Median Home Listing Price	$365,0004
Median Rent	$1,4005

Data in table collected in November 2023.

Louisville

Are you the type of person who can’t survive without having skyscrapers nearby? Look no further than Louisville. With a population of over 600,000, Louisville is Kentucky’s biggest city, and it’ll definitely satisfy your metropolitan fix if you move there.

Because Louisville is such a big city, people who live there never have a hard time finding something to do. Are you a sports fan? Go watch the University of Louisville’s top-notch basketball team (usually a much better experience than watching the football team). More of an arts person? Catch a touring Broadway show at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. Love music? Tons of A-list performers—like P!NK, Blake Shelton and Alicia Keys—play the KFC Yum! Center each year.

Plus, Louisville’s cost of living is 4% below the national average—a rarity for metropolitan cities.⁶

Population	624,4507
Median Household Income	$63,0498
Median Home Listing Price	$255,0009
Median Rent	$1,25610

 

 

Elizabethtown

Some Elizabethtown locals refer to their home as Kentucky’s “Hub City.” That’s because it’s located right in the middle of the state and within driving distance of several major metropolitan U.S. cities, including Louisville (1 hour), Cincinnati (2 hours), Nashville (2 hours), Indianapolis (2.5 hours), St. Louis (4.5 hours), Columbus (4 hours), and Chicago (5 hours).

Find expert agents to help you buy your home.

But you won’t have to drive much at all to get to work in Elizabethtown because there are plenty of companies nearby with tons of job opportunities—like Amazon, UPS, Ford, Humana and several construction companies. It’s also a smaller city, the type where many locals know their neighbors.

Population	31,06611
Median Household Income	$51,87512
Median Home Listing Price	$332,70013
Median Rent	$1,60514

Owensboro

Looking for the city on our list with the lowest housing costs? Then Owensboro is the destination for you. With a median rent of just $850 and a median home listing price of around $220,000, living in Owensboro is super affordable. Add to that its friendly community and wide array of outdoor activities (including the beautiful Smothers Park), and you’ve got a great place to raise a family.

Owensboro is also home to the Owensboro Community and Technical College, which offers a variety of programs, including nursing, early childhood education, computer science and criminal justice.¹⁵ With tuition costs that start at less than $3,000 per semester, it’s a great way to pay for college without student loans.¹⁶

Population	59,83917
Median Household Income	$47,41118
Median Home Listing Price	$219,90019
Median Rent	$85020

Richmond

Up next: Richmond, a city in Kentucky’s Madison County. Unfortunately, unlike in Madison County, Iowa, you won’t find any covered bridges (or rugged magazine photographers) in Richmond. What you’ll find, though, is a family-friendly atmosphere with the third-lowest housing costs on our list.

A lot of folks who live in Richmond commute to Lexington for work, which is about a 40-minute drive. However, there are plenty of places to work within Richmond that don’t require much of a drive at all. The city’s list of top employers includes Eastern Kentucky University (yep, another college), Baptist Health Hospital, and several manufacturing companies.

Population	34,66221
Median Household Income	$40,22122
Median Home Listing Price	$349,50023
Median Rent	$90024

Bowling Green

Alright, there couldn’t possibly be another college town on our list, right? Wrong! Bowling Green is home to Western Kentucky University, which means it’s also full of the typical college-town vibes. It’s one of those “not too big, not too small” towns that offers plenty of things to do while staying away from the inconveniences of a big city—like heavy crowds and traffic.

And if you ever do work your way through what Bowling Green has to offer (like sporting events at WKU, nearby Mammoth Cave National Park, and the National Corvette Museum), it’s just an hour drive to Nashville and two hours to Louisville.

Population	74,92925
Median Household Income	$45,81226
Median Home Listing Price	$344,90027
Median Rent	$1,20028

Frankfort

Next up on our list is Kentucky’s capital city, Frankfort. Because Frankfort is the state capital, it’s a destination that history and politics buffs are sure to enjoy. The city is full of historical and government buildings, many of which offer tours—you can even take a walking tour of the capitol building itself.

Even if you’re not the type who grabbed some popcorn for the latest presidential debate or Ken Burns documentary, there’s still plenty to enjoy about Frankfort. It’s located along the Kentucky River, so there are plenty of opportunities for things to do in the water. It’s also home to the lowest housing costs on our list and (surprise, surprise) a college: Kentucky State University.

Population	28,47929
Median Household Income	$51,73130
Median Home Listing Price	$275,00031
Median Rent	$80032

Florence

Ask a local Kentuckian about Florence, and they’ll tell you it’s basically Cincinnati. That’s because Florence is only 13 miles south of Cincinnati, which means its residents are just a short drive away from taking in a Reds game, watching the Bengals, or getting to the office (if they work in the big city). Some of Cincinnati’s biggest restaurant staples, like Skyline Chili and LaRosa’s Pizzeria, even have locations in Florence.

If you’re looking for access to a big-city lifestyle without actually being stuck inside a major metropolitan area, Florence is for you—its population is about a tenth of Cincinnati’s! Keep in mind, though, that Florence has the highest rent cost on our list.

Population	31,69933
Median Household Income	$64,71834
Median Home Listing Price	$269,00035
Median Rent	$1,80036

Fort Thomas

Florence may have the reputation of being “Cincinnati South,” but Fort Thomas is even closer to Ohio’s second-biggest city—it’s just five miles away. That means, like people living in Florence, residents of Fort Thomas have easy access to Cincinnati’s airport, job opportunities and entertainment options while still living in an area with a much smaller population.

With just over 17,000 residents, Fort Thomas has a small-town feel. Some locals will even tell you it’s like a giant neighborhood. Fort Thomas also has highly rated public schools, which is a big deal if you’re looking for a place in Kentucky to raise a family. 

Population	17,24137
Median Household Income	$85,93838
Median Home Listing Price	$559,30039
Median Rent	$1,20040

Paducah

Located right along the banks of the Ohio River in western Kentucky, Paducah is the home of the National Quilt Museum. If that alone doesn’t convince you to pack your bags and head that way, then what will? (Hey, no offense to the quilt lovers out there.) In all seriousness, Paducah boasts a great culture with a significant arts scene, live music, friendly people and awesome restaurants (go try Just Hamburgers if you’re ever in the area).

Because it’s so close to the Ohio River, Paducah also has a beautiful riverfront area near its historic downtown, filled with plenty of restaurants offering gorgeous views. You may even see a river cruise dock in Paducah to let its passengers stay overnight.

Population	26,24841
Median Household Income	$42,02442
Median Home Listing Price	$249,90043
Median Rent	$1,37544

Ready to Move to Kentucky?

As you can see, Kentucky offers a lot of variety across the state. Whether you prefer a small town with a slower pace of life or a big city full of exciting opportunities, there’s likely a place in Kentucky that you’d enjoy living in.

Frequently Asked Questions