Kentucky to New York Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 809 mile interstate move from Kentucky to New York? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs New York across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited career options vs abundant job opportunities), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Bagels), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs brownstone, modern high-rise), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Bourbon BBQ Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Bagels & Pastrami on Rye
- New York housing costs are 129% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in New York is 90.85% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to New York will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to New York movers is JP Urban Moving
Kentucky to New York Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to New York
- Limited career options
- Fewer entertainment options
- Rural lifestyle
- Lower population density
- Abundant job opportunities
- Cultural hub
- Urban experiences
- Vibrant social scene
- Higher living expenses
- Fast-paced environment
- Less personal space
- Limited outdoor areas
- Lower cost of living
- Slower pace of life
- Close-knit communities
- More open space
Pros of moving from Kentucky to New York
- Say goodbye to limited career options and hello to abundant job opportunities
- Look forward to moving away from fewer entertainment options and moving to New York with its cultural hub
- Swap the rural lifestyle of Kentucky for urban experiences in New York
- Get ready for a vibrant social scene in New York
Cons of moving from Kentucky to New York
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Kentucky to live with higher living expenses in New York
- You'll lose out on the pro of a slower pace of life and have to settle with the con of a fast-paced environment
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to less personal space in New York
- Swap more open space for limited outdoor areas
Kentucky vs. New York: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | New York |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Bagels |
Most popular meat dish | Bourbon BBQ Ribs | Pastrami on Rye |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Sandwich | Pizza Slices |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich | Vegan Bagel Sandwich |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 New York, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Bagels of New York. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Bourbon BBQ Ribs and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, New York residents know they have tasty Pastrami on Rye and Pizza Slices to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Bagel Sandwich of New York. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like Mama Dip's Kitchen, Ramsi's Cafe on the World, and Proof on Main. After the boxes are unpacked in New York, don't wait too long before making your way to New York's acclaimed eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Per Se.
When comparing lifestyles, New York shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New York compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New York.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and New York
Comparison | Kentucky | New York |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Brownstone, Modern High-rise |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Privacy | Proximity to public transit, Rooftop decks |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Brownstone and Modern High-rise architecture typical of New York.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, New York real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transit and rooftop decks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New York is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New York is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- New York has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- New York housing costs are 129% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $460,812 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New York have increased by 36% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in New York is 90.85% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and New York
Comparison | Kentucky | New York |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Moderate | Varies by area |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 82Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44Β°F / 23Β°F | 39Β°F / 26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 42" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11" | 25" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to New York. New York gets 15% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- New York has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and blizzards in New York.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in New York is 5 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows in New York are 3 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in New York. New York receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and New York
Comparison | Kentucky | New York |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $79,557 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 102.8 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 4% to 10.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 8.52% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Finance, Healthcare, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Varied |
Homelessness | Low | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New York tend to earn about 34% more than those in Kentucky
- The COLI in New York will be 17% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in NY is between 4% and 10.9% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in New York is high compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
- The poverty level is varied in New York compared to moderate poverty in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kentucky and higher in New York
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. New York
Comparison | Kentucky | New York |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative-leaning, especially in rural areas | Liberal-leaning, with urban areas significantly more so |
Local Politics | Localized governance can vary, strong Republican influence in local policies | Local governance highly diverse, Democratic stronghold particularly in urban centers |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with a strong evangelical presence | Diverse religious landscape, higher presence of non-Christian faiths |
- Kentucky tends to lean conservative-leaning, especially in rural areas in its political climate
- New York, on the other hand, is often described as liberal-leaning, with urban areas significantly more so
- New York's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape with a higher presence of non-Christian faiths
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a strong evangelical presence
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to New York
Comparison | Kentucky | New York |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | New York University Columbia University Cornell University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pikeville Elementary School (Pikeville) Ashland Elementary School (Lexington) North Middletown Elementary School (North Middletown) | Success Academy Charter School - Bronx 1 (Bronx) Anderson School (PS 334) (New York) NEST+m (New York) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Beaumont Middle School (Lexington) Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) Glasgow Middle School (Glasgow) | Jericho Middle School (Jericho) Icahn Charter School 7 (Bronx) Baccalaureate School for Global Education (Queens) |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High School (Louisville) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) Bowling Green High School (Bowling Green) | Stuyvesant High School (New York) Bronx High School of Science (Bronx) Brooklyn Technical High School (Brooklyn) |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) | Horace Mann School (Bronx) Trinity School (New York) Dalton School (New York) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School (Lexington) Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville) Sayre School (Lexington) | Collegiate School (New York) Brearley School (New York) Chapin School (New York) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Daviess County Public Schools | Scarsdale Union Free School District Jericho Union Free School District Great Neck Public Schools |
How Much Do Kentucky to New York Movers Cost?
Moving 809 miles from Kentucky to New York will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,661 | 300 ft3 | $5.54 |
1 Bedroom | $2,469 | 450 ft3 | $5.49 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,078 | 750 ft3 | $5.44 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,926 | 1100 ft3 | $5.39 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,539 | 1600 ft3 | $5.34 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,517 | 1800 ft3 | $5.29 |
Top Kentucky to New York Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to New York movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.