Compare states / Kentucky / to Virginia
KY → VA
Moving from Kentucky to Virginia
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
Kentucky vs Virginia using the same fields as the all-states table. Green and red mark the destination figure when it differs.
| Kentucky | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 3.5% | 5.75% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.00% | 5.77% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.83% | 0.90% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Yes — 1.44% effective | Yes — 3.97% effective |
| Median home value | $235,735 | $416,963 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.00% | 5.30% |
| State parks | 45 | 44 |
| National parks | 1 | 1 |
| Population density | 117.0/sq mi | 226.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 213.1 | 217.9 |
| Demographics | 82.4% White (non-Hispanic) 4.6% Hispanic 8.2% Black 1.7% Asian | 59.1% White (non-Hispanic) 10.5% Hispanic 20.7% Black 7.1% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 30 | 60 |
| Days to title a car | 15 | 30 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Kentucky to Virginia?
Kentucky: Top listed rate 3.5%. Virginia: Top listed rate 5.75%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $4,200 in Kentucky vs $6,642 in Virginia. If you earned in both states this year, see KY tax agency and VA tax agency.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Kentucky to Virginia?
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 3.5% vs 5.75%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Virginia
New Virginia residents typically have 30 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 5.30%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $1,549.75 (tax $1,484.00 + title $15.00 + registration $40.75 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Virginia
Title fee + plate + base registration + 5.30% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Virginia
After you become a Virginia resident, you typically have 60 days to get a Virginia driver license. Bring your Kentucky license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Virginia. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Virginia DMV. Kentucky plates are not a substitute for Virginia registration once the title clock runs out.
Checklist for new Virginia residents from Kentucky
- Get a VA driver license within 60 days. Bring your KY license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Virginia (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Virginia DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 15 days before an election. Virginia elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. KY tax agency · VA tax agency.
- Both Kentucky and Virginia are in the nurse compact — a multistate license can follow you. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from Kentucky to Virginia
- Top listed income-tax rate: 3.5% in Kentucky vs 5.75% in Virginia (lower in Kentucky).
- New Virginia residents typically have 60 days to get a driver license (30 days is the Kentucky window in this file).
- Title the car in Virginia within 30 days. Kentucky plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- Median home value in the file: $235,735 in Kentucky vs $416,963 in Virginia.
- Virginia title-tax rate used here is 5.30%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $1,549.75 (county extras omitted).
Common questions
How does sales tax in Virginia compare to Kentucky?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 6.00% in Kentucky vs 5.77% in Virginia. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Kentucky to Virginia?
The top listed rate goes up: 3.5% in Kentucky vs 5.75% in Virginia. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $4,200 in Kentucky vs $6,642 in Virginia. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
How many state and national parks are in Kentucky vs Virginia?
Kentucky has 45 state parks and 1 national parks in this file. Virginia has 44 state parks and 1 national parks. State-park counts follow each agency’s own list; national parks are NPS units titled National Park.
How does population density in Virginia compare to Kentucky?
Population density is 117.0 people per square mile in Kentucky vs 226.0 in Virginia.
How do Kentucky and Virginia compare on demographics?
Kentucky: 82.4% White (non-Hispanic), 4.6% Hispanic, 8.2% Black, 1.7% Asian. Virginia: 59.1% White (non-Hispanic), 10.5% Hispanic, 20.7% Black, 7.1% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see moving to Virginia and the reverse route, Virginia → Kentucky.
Your move