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Idaho to Kentucky Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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Planning a 1,977 mile interstate move from Idaho to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Kentucky Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (modern and ranch vs colonial and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Idaho Rainbow Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Kentucky Fried Chicken & Bourbon-glazed Pork
  • Kentucky housing costs are 55% less expensive than they are in Idaho
  • Rent in Kentucky is 18.96% more affordable than in Idaho
  • Moving from Idaho to Kentucky will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
  • Our top recommended Idaho to Kentucky movers is 208 Moving Company

Idaho to Kentucky Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Kentucky

ConsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Harsh winters
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Limited job market
  • Less diverse cuisine
ProsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Milder climate
  • Rich cultural heritage
  • Diverse industries
  • Vibrant food scene

Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Less natural beauty
  • More congested roads
  • Less neighborly feel
  • Slightly higher costs
Idaho iconIdaho
  • Stunning landscapes
  • Sparse traffic
  • Close-knit communities
  • Lower cost of living

Pros of moving from Idaho to Kentucky

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
  • Look forward to moving away from fewer cultural events and moving to Kentucky with a rich cultural heritage
  • Swap the limited job market of Idaho for diverse industries in Kentucky
  • Get ready for a vibrant food scene in Kentucky

Cons of moving from Idaho to Kentucky

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning landscapes in Idaho to live with less natural beauty in Kentucky
  • You'll lose out on the pro of sparse traffic and have to settle for the con of more congested roads
  • Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to a less neighborly feel in Kentucky
  • Swap a lower cost of living for slightly higher costs

Idaho vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIdahoKentucky
Most iconic local food itemIdaho PotatoesKentucky Fried Chicken
Most popular meat dishIdaho Rainbow TroutBourbon-glazed Pork
Most popular street food itemFry BreadHot Brown Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodWild Morel MushroomsFried Green Tomatoes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Brown Hotel
  • Holly Hill Inn
  • Kurtz Restaurant
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Idaho to Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Idaho Rainbow Trout and sumptuous Fry Bread, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Bourbon-glazed Pork and Hot Brown Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Morel Mushrooms they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Fried Green Tomatoes of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like State & Lemp, The Boise Potato, and Bardenay. 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, Holly Hill Inn, and Kurtz Restaurant.

When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky, compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Kentucky.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Kentucky

ComparisonIdahoKentucky
Typical Architecture StyleModern and RanchColonial and Craftsman
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingOpen spaces, proximity to natureHistoric charm, large backyards
  • The Modern and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Kentucky.
  • Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference open spaces and proximity to nature, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like historic charm and large backyards.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes, as Kentucky is more walkable than Idaho.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike, as Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Idaho.
  • Kentucky has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
  • Kentucky housing costs are 55% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Idaho's $451,298.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
  • Rent in Kentucky is 18.96% more affordable than in Idaho.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Kentucky

ComparisonIdahoKentucky
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersWildfires, EarthquakesTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (°F)85°F / 40°F87°F / 67°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)34°F / 15°F44°F / 27°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)12-20"45-50"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)19-65"10-25"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Idaho to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 5% fewer sunshine days than Idaho.
  • Kentucky has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho, 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 Idaho.
  • The average winter lows are 12 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 33 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Kentucky

ComparisonIdahoKentucky
Avg. Household Income$72,785$59,341
Cost of Living Index91.587.8
State Income Tax6.5%5%
Avg. Property Tax0.75%0.86%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Technology, TourismManufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateModest
PovertyLowMedium
HomelessnessMinimalModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 18% less than in Idaho
  • The COLI in Kentucky will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in Idaho
  • The state income tax in KY is 5% compared to 6.5% in ID
  • The affluence in Kentucky is modest compared to moderate in Idaho
  • The poverty level is medium in Kentucky compared to low in Idaho
  • In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Idaho and moderate in Kentucky

Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Kentucky

ComparisonIdahoKentucky
Political Make-upConservativeModerately Conservative
Local PoliticsRepublican dominance in state governmentMixed, with Republican stronghold in rural areas and Democratic in urban centers
ReligionLargely Christian, significant LDS presencePredominantly Christian, diverse denominations
  • Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as moderately conservative
  • Kentucky's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian with diverse denominations
  • Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Christian with a significant LDS presence

Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Kentucky

ComparisonIdahoKentucky
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
Western Kentucky University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLongfellow Elementary School (Boise)
Washington Elementary School (Boise)
Adams Elementary School (Boise)
Anchorage Public Elementary School (Anchorage)
Mann Elementary School (Union)
Rosa Parks Elementary School (Lexington)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsNorth Junior High School (Boise)
South Junior High School (Boise)
Lake Hazel Middle School (Boise)
Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville)
Murray Middle School (Murray)
Beaumont Middle School (Lexington)
Top 3 High SchoolsBoise High School (Boise)
Timberline High School (Boise)
Borah High School (Boise)
DuPont Manual High School (Louisville)
Highlands High School (Fort Thomas)
Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell)
Top 3 private high schoolsBishop Kelly High School (Boise)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville)
St. Xavier High School (Louisville)
Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Ambrose School (Meridian)
Classical Christian Academy (Post Falls)
North Star Charter School (Eagle)
Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville)
Sayre School (Lexington)
The Lexington School (Lexington)
Top 3 School DistrictsBoise Independent School District
Blaine County School District
Coeur d'Alene School District
Oldham County Schools
Fort Thomas Independent Schools
Boyle County Schools

How Much Do Idaho to Kentucky Movers Cost?

Moving 1,977 miles from Idaho to Kentucky will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,323300 ft3$7.74
1 Bedroom$3,462450 ft3$7.69
2 Bedrooms$5,733750 ft3$7.64
3 Bedrooms$8,3541100 ft3$7.59
4 Bedrooms$12,0711600 ft3$7.54
5+ Bedrooms$13,4901800 ft3$7.49

Top Idaho to Kentucky Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Idaho to Kentucky

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Boise Local Boys Moving Company featured image

Boise Local Boys Moving Company

9.22/10
ExceptionalView details