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Moving from Tennessee to Kentucky

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge. vs. Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

TN state flag
Living now

Tennessee

Capital: Nashville

Median household income $67,631 · winter low 30°F · 207 sunny days

Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

KY state flag
Moving to

Kentucky

Capital: Frankfort

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

Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

Kentucky has an overall price level 90.2 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Tennessee
91.9
Kentucky
90.2
Kentucky has 1.9% lower overall price level
Housing index
Tennessee
79.1
Kentucky
64.3
Kentucky has 19% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.0
Kentucky
97.5
Utilities index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.8
Kentucky
98.5
Electricity rate
Tennessee
15.1 ¢/kWh
Kentucky
14.9 ¢/kWh
Kentucky has 1.3% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.4
Kentucky
98.0
Median home value
Tennessee
$332,600
Kentucky
$226,000
Kentucky is 32% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Tennessee
$1,180/mo
Kentucky
$852/mo
Kentucky is 28% cheaper to rent

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

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 26°F · 189 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Tennessee
89°F
Kentucky
87°F
Kentucky is 2.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Tennessee
30°F
Kentucky
26°F
Kentucky is 13% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Tennessee
58°F
Kentucky
56°F
Kentucky is 3.1% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Tennessee
207
Kentucky
189
Kentucky has 8.7% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Tennessee
54 in
Kentucky
48 in
Kentucky is 10% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Tennessee
50
Kentucky
48
Kentucky has 4.0% lower AQI
Snow / year
Tennessee
5 in
Kentucky
9 in
Kentucky is 80% more annual snowfall

Get the full TennesseeKentucky report

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

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Kentucky than Tennessee?

Kentucky's overall price level is roughly 87.5 (US avg = 100), vs about 91.9 for Tennessee — 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?

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

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

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

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