Kentucky to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 1,977 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs dry climate), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (federal and colonial vs craftsman and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho Potatoes & Idaho Trout
- Idaho housing costs are 124% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Idaho is 23.39% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Idaho will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Idaho movers is 208 Moving Company
Kentucky to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Idaho
- High humidity
- Limited outdoor sports
- Less mountainous terrain
- Dry climate
- Abundant outdoor activities
- Scenic mountains
- Fewer historic sites
- Colder winters
- Less vibrant music scene
- Rich cultural heritage
- Warm summers
- Bluegrass music scene
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Idaho
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a dry climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor sports and moving to Idaho with abundant outdoor activities
- Swap the less mountainous terrain of Kentucky for scenic mountains in Idaho
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich cultural heritage in Kentucky to live with fewer historic sites in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of warm summers and have to settle for the con of colder winters
- Time to bid farewell to the bluegrass music scene and get used to a less vibrant music scene in Idaho
Kentucky vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | Idaho Trout |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown | Finger Steaks |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Burgoo | Vegan Hashbrowns |
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 Kentucky to Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown, Idaho residents know they have tasty Idaho Trout and Finger Steaks to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Burgoo they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Hashbrowns of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like Mammoth Cave Hotel, Claudia Sanders Dinner House, and Brown Hotel. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Brick 29 Bistro, Bar Gernika, and Pickle's Place.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Idaho, compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Idaho
Comparison | Kentucky | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Federal and Colonial | Craftsman and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, basements | Mountain views, open spaces |
- The Federal and Colonial architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and basements, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and open spaces.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Idaho is less walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Idaho is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Idaho has less of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Idaho housing costs are 124% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Idaho is 23.39% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Idaho
Comparison | Kentucky | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 67Β°F | 85Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44Β°F / 23Β°F | 34Β°F / 16Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 20" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11" | 60" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Idaho. Idaho gets 5% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Idaho has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
- The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 2 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 25 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Idaho
Comparison | Kentucky | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 6.925% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Modest | Growing |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Manageable | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 23% more than those in Kentucky
- The COLI in Idaho will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in ID is 6.925% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in Idaho is growing compared to modest affluence in Kentucky
- The poverty level is low in Idaho compared to moderate poverty in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Kentucky and minimal in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Idaho
Comparison | Kentucky | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately conservative | Strongly conservative |
Local Politics | Mix of Democratic and Republican leadership in urban and rural areas | Largely Republican leadership, particularly in rural areas |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a significant Baptist presence | Primarily Christian, with notable Mormon influence |
- Kentucky tends to lean moderately conservative in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as strongly conservative
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with notable Mormon influence
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a significant Baptist presence
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Idaho
Comparison | Kentucky | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) Mann Elementary (Union) Brandeis Elementary (Louisville) | White Pine Elementary (Boise) Gallagher Elementary (Pocatello) Anser Charter School (Garden City) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) Beaumont Middle School (Lexington) South Oldham Middle School (Crestwood) | North Star Charter School (Eagle) Heritage Middle School (Meridian) Lakeside Middle School (Plummer) |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High (Louisville) Highlands High (Fort Thomas) Beechwood High (Fort Mitchell) | Boise High (Boise) McCall-Donnelly High (McCall) Renaissance High (Meridian) |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) St. Xavier High School (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High (Lexington) | Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School (Lexington) Sayre School (Lexington) Christian Academy of Louisville (Louisville) | Rolling Hills Charter School (Boise) Riverstone International School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) |
Top 3 School Districts | Oldham County Schools Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District | Boise School District Blaine County School District Coeur d'Alene School District |
How Much Do Kentucky to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 1,977 miles from Kentucky to Idaho 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,323 | 300 ft3 | $7.74 |
1 Bedroom | $3,462 | 450 ft3 | $7.69 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,733 | 750 ft3 | $7.64 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,354 | 1100 ft3 | $7.59 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,071 | 1600 ft3 | $7.54 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,490 | 1800 ft3 | $7.49 |
Top Kentucky to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.