California to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 2,310 mile interstate move from California to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in California vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Sushi vs Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (modern, spanish vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Sushi and Tri-tip steak, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Chicken & Hot Brown
- Kentucky housing costs are 74% less expensive than they are in California
- Rent in Kentucky is 51.98% more affordable than in California
- Moving from California to Kentucky will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended California to Kentucky movers is OCD Moving Services LLC
California vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | California | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Sushi | Fried Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Tri-tip steak | Hot Brown |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Burgoo |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado toast | Barbecued tofu |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from California to Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic sushi of California for the equally delicious fried chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in California rave about their flavorful tri-tip steak and sumptuous tacos, Kentucky residents know they have tasty hot brown and burgoo to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the avocado toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the barbecued tofu of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic California eateries like Chez Panisse, n/naka, and The French Laundry. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like The Brown Hotel, Mammoth Cave Hotel's Crystal Lake Coffee Shop, and Claudia Sanders Dinner House.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than California. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky, compared to what you are used to in California. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between California and Kentucky
Comparison | California | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern, Spanish | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Outdoor living spaces, Smart home features | Large lots, Proximity to nature |
- The Modern and Spanish architecture that California is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to California's real estate listings that commonly reference outdoor living spaces and smart home features, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like large lots and proximity to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kentucky is less walkable than California.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than California.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than California.
- Kentucky housing costs are 74% less expensive than they are in California, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Californiaβs $783,666.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased 47% compared to a 42% increase in California.
- Rent in Kentucky is 51.98% more affordable than in California.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between California and Kentucky
Comparison | California | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | 284 days | 195 days |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Varies by region, major cities have issues | Generally moderate, varies by location |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 55Β°F | 87Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 68Β°F / 48Β°F | 44Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22 inches | 50 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0-5 inches | 10-20 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from California to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 31% fewer sunshine days than California.
- Kentucky has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to California.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in California, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 2 degrees warmer than in California.
- The average winter lows are 20 degrees colder in Kentucky than they are in California.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 28 more inches of rain compared to California.
Financial & Community Snapshot: California and Kentucky
Comparison | California | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,551 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 136.4 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 13.3% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.76% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.25% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Notable |
Homelessness | Severe | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 35% less than in California
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 36% lower than what you are used to living in California
- The state income tax in KY is 5% compared to 13.3% in CA
- The affluence in Kentucky is moderate compared to high in California
- The poverty level is notable in Kentucky compared to moderate in California
- In terms of homelessness, it is severe in California and low in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in California vs. Kentucky
Comparison | California | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Conservative/Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive Policies | Traditional Policies |
Religion | More secular/Various religions | Primarily Christian |
- California tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian
- California's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as more secular and various religions
Education Guide When Moving from California to Kentucky
Comparison | California | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of California Stanford University California State University | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Orinda Union School District (Orinda) Montecito Union School (Santa Barbara) Cold Spring School (Santa Barbara) | Anchorage Independent (Anchorage) Beechwood Independent (Fort Mitchell) Pikeville Independent (Pikeville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mill Valley Middle (Mill Valley) Egan Junior High (Los Altos) Henry M. Gunn High (Palo Alto) | Barret Traditional Middle (Louisville) Beaumont Middle (Lexington) Northern Middle (Somerset) |
Top 3 High Schools | Henry M. Gunn High (Palo Alto) Palo Alto High (Palo Alto) Lynbrook High (San Jose) | Dupont Manual High (Louisville) Highlands High (Fort Thomas) Bowling Green High (Bowling Green) |
Top 3 private high schools | Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles) The Thacher School (Ojai) Webb Schools (Claremont) | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) St. Xavier High School (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Nueva School (Hillsborough) Marin Country Day School (Corte Madera) Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences (Santa Monica) | Sayre School (Lexington) Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville) The Lexington School (Lexington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Palo Alto Unified San Marino Unified La CaΓ±ada Unified | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Oldham County Schools |
How Much Do California to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 2,310 miles from California to Kentucky will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: CC Relocation, Inc.
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,512 | 300 ft3 | $8.37 |
1 Bedroom | $3,746 | 450 ft3 | $8.32 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,205 | 750 ft3 | $8.27 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,046 | 1100 ft3 | $8.22 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,078 | 1600 ft3 | $8.17 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,623 | 1800 ft3 | $8.12 |
Top California to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best California to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

OCD Moving Services LLC
Best moving company overall for California to Kentucky