Compare states / Kentucky
KY
Compare Kentucky with other states
Kentucky is a mid-sized Southern state: about 4.6 million residents, the 25th-largest population, at 117 people per square mile. It taxes wages, but its top rate of 3.5% is the 7th-lowest among the 41 states that do; its average combined sales tax of 6.00% is tied for the 11th-lowest among the 50 states. Homes cost less than in most places, with a median value of $235,735 (the 6th-lowest nationally). It is one of only 5 states with an inheritance tax.
Data: Kentucky (revenue.ky.gov, drive.ky.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 3.5% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.00% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.74% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Value-based registration / property tax, about 1.44% |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | Kentucky has no estate tax. Inheritance tax depends on the heir’s class. Class A (spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, half-sibling) is exempt. Class B (niece, nephew, in-law, aunt, uncle, great-grandchild) gets a $1,000 exemption, then 4% to 16%. Class C (everyone else, including cousins) gets a $500 exemption, then 6% to 16%. A 5% discount applies if tax is paid within nine months of death. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $7.25 (matches the federal rate). |
| Median home value | $235,735 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $9.00 |
| Registration (base) | $21.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 36 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 1 |
| Population | 4,629,682 |
| Population density | 117.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 82.4% White (non-Hispanic) 4.6% Hispanic 8.2% Black 1.7% Asian |
| Violent crime | 213.1 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Kentucky
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 3.5%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Kentucky
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Kentucky
- Get a KY driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Kentucky.
- 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. Kentucky elections site.
- Nurse license: Kentucky is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Kentucky: August 1. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Kentucky compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 3.5% in Kentucky vs 13.3% in California (lower in Kentucky).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Kentucky are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Kentucky does not tax Social Security benefits (KY tax agency).
- Estate tax. Kentucky has no state estate tax (KY tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Kentucky inheritance tax.
- Minimum wage. Kentucky $7.25.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Kentucky 6.00%.
- State parks. Kentucky 36. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; KY 1).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (KY).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Kentucky 30 days.
- Days to title a car. Kentucky 15 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled