Compare states / Vermont / to Kentucky
VT → KY
Moving from Vermont to Kentucky
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
Vermont vs Kentucky using the same fields as the all-states table. Green and red mark the destination figure when it differs.
| Vermont | Kentucky | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 8.75% | 3.5% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.39% | 6.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 1.90% | 0.83% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No | Yes — 1.44% effective |
| Median home value | $398,472 | $235,735 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.00% | 6.00% |
| State parks | 55 | 45 |
| National parks | 0 | 1 |
| Population density | 70.0/sq mi | 117.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 219.1 | 213.1 |
| Demographics | 91.5% White (non-Hispanic) 2.4% Hispanic 1.4% Black 1.9% Asian | 82.4% White (non-Hispanic) 4.6% Hispanic 8.2% Black 1.7% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 30 | 30 |
| Days to title a car | 60 | 15 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Vermont to Kentucky?
Vermont: Top listed rate 8.75%. Kentucky: Top listed rate 3.5%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $6,318 in Vermont vs $4,200 in Kentucky. If you earned in both states this year, see VT tax agency and KY tax agency.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Vermont to Kentucky?
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 8.75% vs 3.5%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Kentucky
New Kentucky residents typically have 15 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 6.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $1,720.00 (tax $1,680.00 + title $9.00 + registration $21.00 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Kentucky
Title fee + plate + base registration + 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Kentucky
After you become a Kentucky resident, you typically have 30 days to get a Kentucky driver license. Bring your Vermont license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Kentucky. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Kentucky DMV. Vermont plates are not a substitute for Kentucky registration once the title clock runs out.
Checklist for new Kentucky residents from Vermont
- Get a KY driver license within 30 days. Bring your VT license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Kentucky (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Kentucky DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 15 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. Kentucky elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. VT tax agency · KY tax agency.
- Both Vermont and Kentucky 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 Vermont to Kentucky
- Top listed income-tax rate: 8.75% in Vermont vs 3.5% in Kentucky (lower in Kentucky).
- Title the car in Kentucky within 15 days. Vermont plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- Kentucky lists a vehicle personal-property tax (1.44% effective); Vermont does not.
- Effective real-estate property tax: 1.90% in Vermont vs 0.83% in Kentucky.
- New Kentucky residents typically have 30 days to get a driver license (30 days is the Vermont window in this file).
Common questions
How does sales tax in Kentucky compare to Vermont?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 6.39% in Vermont vs 6.00% in Kentucky. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from Vermont to Kentucky?
The top listed rate goes down: 8.75% in Vermont vs 3.5% in Kentucky. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $6,318 in Vermont vs $4,200 in Kentucky. 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 Vermont vs Kentucky?
Vermont has 55 state parks and 0 national parks in this file. Kentucky has 45 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 Kentucky compare to Vermont?
Population density is 70.0 people per square mile in Vermont vs 117.0 in Kentucky.
How do Vermont and Kentucky compare on demographics?
Vermont: 91.5% White (non-Hispanic), 2.4% Hispanic, 1.4% Black, 1.9% Asian. Kentucky: 82.4% White (non-Hispanic), 4.6% Hispanic, 8.2% Black, 1.7% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see moving to Kentucky and the reverse route, Kentucky → Vermont.
Your move