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Moving from Kentucky to Washington

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix. vs. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

KY state flag
Living now

Kentucky

Capital: Frankfort

Median household income $60,183 · winter low 26°F · 189 sunny days

Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

WA state flag
Moving to

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

Washington has an overall price level 107.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Kentucky
90.2
Washington
107.0
Washington has 19% higher overall price level
Housing index
Kentucky
64.3
Washington
126.0
Washington has 96% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Kentucky
97.5
Washington
101.8
Washington has 4.3% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Kentucky
98.5
Washington
101.1
Washington has 2.6% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Kentucky
14.9 ¢/kWh
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Washington has 3.2% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Kentucky
98.0
Washington
101.4
Washington has 3.4% higher transportation
Median home value
Kentucky
$226,000
Washington
$602,200
Washington is 166% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Kentucky
$852/mo
Washington
$1,641/mo
Washington is 93% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 79°F · Winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Kentucky
87°F
Washington
79°F
Washington is 9.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Kentucky
26°F
Washington
35°F
Washington is 35% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Kentucky
56°F
Washington
50°F
Washington is 11% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Kentucky
189
Washington
152
Washington has 20% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Kentucky
48 in
Washington
40 in
Washington is 17% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Kentucky
48
Washington
39
Washington has 19% lower AQI
Snow / year
Kentucky
9 in
Washington
29 in
Washington is 222% more annual snowfall

Get the full KentuckyWashington report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Washington than Kentucky?

Washington's overall price level is roughly 105.8 (US avg = 100), vs about 87.5 for Kentucky — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Kentucky tops out at 3.5% income tax. Washington tops out at 0%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Washington?

Most Washington residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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