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Kentucky cost of living & income (2026)

Quick answer: Kentucky has a cost-of-living index of 92.5 (100 = national baseline), an illustrative estimated annual cost of living of about $46,250, median household income of $64,526, combined average sales tax about 6.00%, and regular gas about $3.597/gal in the June 2026 AAA snapshot used on the hub.

COL index92.5100 = US baseline
Est. annual COL$46,250
Median HH income$64,526
Sales tax (comb.)6.00%
Gas (87 octane)$3.597/galJune 2026 AAA
Largest cityLouisville (622,981)

Taxes & economy

Income tax: Flat 3.5%

Sales tax: 6% state (combined avg. ~6.00%)

Major industries: Manufacturing (autos, bourbon), agriculture (horses), tourism, coal/energy

Climate snapshot

Summer high ~87°F (July) · Winter low ~26°F (January)

Culture (context)

Louisville Slugger Museum / Kentucky Derby heritage sites

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FAQ

What is Kentucky's cost of living index?

Kentucky's cost-of-living index is 92.5 (national baseline 100) in this 2026 classroom snapshot.

What is the estimated annual cost of living in Kentucky?

The explorer lists an illustrative estimated annual cost of living of about $46,250 for Kentucky.

What is median household income in Kentucky?

Median household income in Kentucky is $64,526 in this dataset.

What is the combined average sales tax rate in Kentucky?

The combined average sales tax rate shown for Kentucky is 6.00%. State and local rules vary; see the Tax Foundation citation on the hub.

Does Kentucky have a state income tax?

State income tax in Kentucky: Flat 3.5%.

What was regular gas in Kentucky in this snapshot?

87-octane gas is listed at $3.597 per gallon (AAA, June 2026) in the explorer data.

Sources on the hub: Tax Foundation (sales tax), BEA / ACS (income & COL), AAA gas (June 20, 2026). Educational snapshot — not relocation or tax advice.