Georgia to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 520 mile interstate move from Georgia to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Georgia vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs mild climate), food & health (like Peach Cobbler vs Hot Brown), real estate & housing (antebellum and craftsman vs colonial revival and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Kentucky), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Peach Cobbler and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Hot Brown & Fried Catfish
- Kentucky housing costs are 38% less expensive than they are in Georgia
- Rent in Kentucky is 27.89% more affordable than in Georgia
- Moving from Georgia to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Georgia to Kentucky movers is Moving Etc
Georgia to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Georgia to Kentucky
- Hot summers
- Heavy traffic
- Higher cost of living
- Dense population
- Mild climate
- Less congestion
- Affordable housing
- More green spaces
- Limited diversity
- Fewer cultural events
- Job market variability
- No coastline
- Cultural diversity
- Thriving arts scene
- Economic opportunities
- Access to coast
Pros of moving from Georgia to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to a mild climate
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Kentucky with less congestion
- Swap the higher cost of living in Georgia for affordable housing in Kentucky
- Get ready for more green spaces in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Georgia to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in Georgia to live with limited diversity in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of a thriving arts scene and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to economic opportunities and get used to job market variability in Kentucky
- Swap access to the coast for no coastline
Georgia vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Georgia | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Peach Cobbler | Hot Brown |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Fried Catfish |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Burgoo |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Kentucky Beer Cheese |
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 Georgia to Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Peach Cobbler of Georgia for the equally delicious Hot Brown of Kentucky. And while the locals in Georgia rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Fried Catfish and Burgoo to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Collard Greens they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Kentucky Beer Cheese of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Georgia eateries like The Vortex, Mary Mac's Tea Room, and The Grey. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like Jack Fry's, 610 Magnolia, and Ramsey's Diner.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Georgia. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky, compared to what you are used to in Georgia. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Georgia and Kentucky
Comparison | Georgia | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum and Craftsman | Colonial Revival and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Open floor plans, Granite countertops | Large backyards, Hardwood floors |
- The Antebellum and Craftsman architecture that Georgia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival and Craftsman architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Georgia's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and granite countertops, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like large backyards and hardwood floors.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Kentucky is less walkable than Georgia.
- Kentucky is similarly bike-friendly to Georgia.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Georgia.
- Kentucky housing costs are 38% less expensive than they are in Georgia, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Georgiaβs $327,174.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 64% increase in Georgia.
- Rent in Kentucky is 27.89% more affordable than in Georgia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Georgia and Kentucky
Comparison | Georgia | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/68 | 87/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 52/33 | 44/28 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 48 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | 22 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Georgia to Kentucky; Kentucky gets 10% fewer sunshine days than Georgia.
- Kentucky has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Georgia.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Georgia, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 2 degrees colder than in Georgia.
- The average winter lows in Kentucky are 5 degrees colder than they are in Georgia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kentucky; it receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Georgia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Georgia and Kentucky
Comparison | Georgia | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,837 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 93.35 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.87% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Transportation, Entertainment | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Diverse | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Notable |
Homelessness | Troubling | Concerning |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 19% less than those in Georgia
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 6% lower than what you are used to living in Georgia
- The state income tax in KY is 5% compared to 5.75% in GA
- The affluence in Kentucky is modest compared to the diverse affluence in Georgia
- The poverty level is notable in Kentucky compared to moderate levels in Georgia
- In terms of homelessness, it is troubling in Georgia and concerning in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Georgia vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Georgia | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, recently trending blue in federal elections | Primarily red, with strong conservative roots |
Local Politics | Diverse, urban areas lean Democratic | Largely Republican, except in some urban areas |
Religion | Christian majority, with significant Evangelical and Baptist presence | Christian majority, predominantly Baptist and Methodist affiliations |
- Georgia tends to lean mixed, recently trending blue in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as primarily red, with strong conservative roots
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, predominantly Baptist and Methodist affiliations
- Georgia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with a significant Evangelical and Baptist presence
Education Guide When Moving from Georgia to Kentucky
Comparison | Georgia | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Georgia Georgia State University Georgia Institute of Technology | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Brandon Elementary School (Atlanta) Britt David Magnet Academy (Columbus) Kittredge Magnet School (Atlanta) | Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary School (Louisville) Rosa Parks Elementary School (Lexington) Beechwood Elementary School (Fort Mitchell) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Davidson Magnet School (Augusta) River Trail Middle School (Johns Creek) South Forsyth Middle School (Cumming) | Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) Beaumont Middle School (Lexington) Beechwood Middle School (Fort Mitchell) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Northview High School (Johns Creek) Walton High School (Marietta) Columbus High School (Columbus) | DuPont Manual High School (Louisville) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Westminster Schools (Atlanta) Pace Academy (Atlanta) Atlanta International School (Atlanta) | The Lexington School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) Sayre School (Lexington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Woodward Academy (College Park) The Lovett School (Atlanta) The Walker School (Marietta) | The Lexington School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) Sayre School (Lexington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fulton County Schools Gwinnett County Public Schools Forsyth County Schools | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Boone County Schools |
How Much Do Georgia to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 520 miles from Georgia to Kentucky will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,497 | 300 ft3 | $4.99 |
1 Bedroom | $2,223 | 450 ft3 | $4.94 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,668 | 750 ft3 | $4.89 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,325 | 1100 ft3 | $4.84 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,666 | 1600 ft3 | $4.79 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,534 | 1800 ft3 | $4.74 |
Top Georgia to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Georgia to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Moving Etc
Best moving company overall for Georgia to Kentucky