Indiana to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 282 mile interstate move from Indiana to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Kentucky Hot Brown), real estate & housing (colonial revival vs craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Indiana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Beef Manhattan, but get your taste buds ready for Kentucky Hot Brown & Fried Chicken
- Kentucky housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Indiana
- Rent in Kentucky is 2.98% more affordable than in Indiana
- Moving from Indiana to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Indiana to Kentucky movers is MVM Moving & Storage
Indiana to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Kentucky
- Harsh winters
- Heavy traffic
- Higher taxes
- Urban sprawl
- Milder climate
- Less congestion
- Tax benefits
- Scenic landscapes
- Fewer job options
- Limited education options
- Developing infrastructure
- Smaller arts community
- Diverse job market
- Renowned universities
- Well-developed infrastructure
- Thriving arts scene
Pros of moving from Indiana to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Kentucky with less congestion
- Swap the higher taxes of Indiana for tax benefits in Kentucky
- Get ready for scenic landscapes in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Indiana to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a diverse job market in Indiana to live with fewer job options in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of renowned universities and have to settle for the con of limited education options
- Time to bid farewell to well-developed infrastructure and get used to developing infrastructure in Kentucky
- Swap a thriving arts scene for a smaller arts community
Indiana vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Indiana | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Kentucky Hot Brown |
Most popular meat dish | Beef Manhattan | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Elote | Burgoo |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Indianapolis | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 Indiana to Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Kentucky Hot Brown of Kentucky. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Beef Manhattan and sumptuous Elote, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Burgoo to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Indianapolis they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and The Loft at Traders Point. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like Proof on Main, 610 Magnolia, and The Greyhound Tavern.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Kentucky
Comparison | Indiana | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial Revival | Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, basements | Outdoor entertainment spaces, horse properties |
- The Colonial Revival architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and basements, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like outdoor entertainment spaces and horse properties.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Kentucky is more walkable than Indiana.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Kentucky is more bike-friendly than Indiana.
- Kentucky has more of an urban feel than Indiana.
- Kentucky housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Indiana with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Indianaβs $236,990.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased 47% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
- Rent in Kentucky is 2.98% more affordable than in Indiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and Kentucky
Comparison | Indiana | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/64 | 87/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35/20 | 44/27 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 11 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Indiana to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 5% more sunshine days than Indiana.
- Kentucky has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Indiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, 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 Indiana.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Indiana.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Indiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Kentucky
Comparison | Indiana | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Automotive |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Low | Medium |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 11% less than in Indiana
- The COLI in Kentucky is 6% lower than what you are used to living in Indiana
- The state income tax in KY is 5% compared to 3.23% in IN
- The affluence in Kentucky is modest compared to moderate in Indiana
- The poverty level is medium in Kentucky compared to low in Indiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Indiana and moderate in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Indiana | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Mixed, with urban areas leaning Democratic | Mostly Republican, with urban exceptions |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse denominations | Christianity predominant, Baptists notably influential |
- Indiana tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, with Baptists being notably influential
- Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with diverse denominations
Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Kentucky
Comparison | Indiana | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Indiana University Purdue University Ball State University | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Sigler Elementary - West Lafayette Princeton Elementary - Princeton Cumberland Road - Fishers | Greathouse/Shryock Traditional - Louisville Brandeswood STEM - Louisville Stopher Elementary - Louisville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School - West Lafayette Brown County Junior High - Nashville Tri-West Middle School - Lizton | Barret Traditional Middle School - Louisville Bowen Elementary - Louisville Scott County Middle School - Georgetown |
Top 3 High Schools | Signature School - Evansville Carmel High School - Carmel Herron High School - Indianapolis | duPont Manual High - Louisville North Oldham High School - Goshen Beechwood High School - Fort Mitchell |
Top 3 private high schools | Park Tudor - Indianapolis Culver Academies - Culver Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School - Indianapolis | Sacred Heart Academy - Louisville St. Xavier High School - Louisville Trinity High School - Louisville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Indiana - Carmel The Orchard School - Indianapolis Traders Point Christian Academy - Whitestown | The Lexington School - Lexington Sayre School - Lexington Christian Academy of Louisville - Louisville |
Top 3 School Districts | West Lafayette Community School Corporation Carmel Clay Schools Zionsville Community Schools | Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District Oldham County Schools |
How Much Do Indiana to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 282 miles from Indiana to Kentucky will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,362 | 300 ft3 | $4.54 |
1 Bedroom | $2,021 | 450 ft3 | $4.49 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,331 | 750 ft3 | $4.44 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,830 | 1100 ft3 | $4.39 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,946 | 1600 ft3 | $4.34 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,724 | 1800 ft3 | $4.29 |
Top Indiana to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Indiana to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

MVM Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Indiana to Kentucky