State Comparison
Tennessee vs Kentucky
Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics using documented public datasets and estimates, with sources listed below.
Overall Score
Cost of Living
Housing
Taxes
Income & Employment
Business
Insurance & Living
Key Takeaways
- 1
Kentucky leads in 9 of 16 financial metrics, making it the more favorable state overall.
- 2
Housing: Median home prices are $339,000 in Tennessee vs $235,000 in Kentucky — a $104,000 difference.
- 3
Taxes: Tennessee has no income tax while Kentucky has a 3.5% top rate. Property tax rates are 0.52% vs 0.74%.
- 4
Cost of Living: Tennessee's index is 88.9 and Kentucky's is 92.5 (national average = 100).
Run the Numbers
Use our free calculators with real Tennessee and Kentucky data to model your specific scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tennessee or Kentucky more affordable?
Tennessee has a lower cost of living index (88.9) compared to Kentucky (92.5), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.
Which state has lower taxes — Tennessee or Kentucky?
It depends on what you earn, spend, and own — the three rates below apply to different bases (income, purchases, and home value), so they cannot be added into a single burden figure. On the headline rates alone, Tennessee is lower on more of them. Tennessee has no income tax, 7% state sales tax, and a 0.52% effective property tax rate. Kentucky has a 3.5% top income tax, 6% state sales tax, and a 0.74% effective property tax rate.
What are housing costs in Tennessee vs Kentucky?
The typical home value in Tennessee is $339,000 compared to $235,000 in Kentucky (Zillow Home Value Index, June 2026). For renters, HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit — the 40th-percentile gross rent, not an average — is $1,363/month in Tennessee vs $1,125/month in Kentucky.
Which state is better for starting a business — Tennessee or Kentucky?
LLC filing costs are $300 in Tennessee vs $40 in Kentucky, with annual fees of $300 and $15 respectively. Tennessee's lack of income tax compared to Kentucky's 3.5% rate may also factor into your decision.
Should I move from Tennessee to Kentucky?
It depends on your priorities. Kentucky wins in 9 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.
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Related Comparisons
Comparing Tennessee and Kentucky
When deciding between living in Tennessee or Kentucky, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey), the Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rents, Zillow's Home Value Index, the NAIC's insurance databases, the U.S. Department of Labor, C2ER's Cost of Living Index, and state agencies, to give you a comprehensive overview.
Tennessee (TN) has a median household income of $71,997 with a cost of living index of 88.9. Kentucky (KY) has a median household income of $64,526 with a cost of living index of 92.5. Income figures are Census ACS 1-year estimates (table B19013, 2024); the cost-of-living index is C2ER's Q1 2026 survey via MERIC, where 100 is the national average of surveyed cities.
These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free Tennessee calculator or Kentucky calculator to model your specific financial scenario.
Sources per metric are named in each row's note above. Last reviewed . Some values are estimates; consult a qualified professional for financial advice.