Kentucky to Ohio Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 249 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Ohio? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Ohio across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like lack of urban nightlife vs vibrant cities), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Buckeye Candy), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Ohio), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Hot Brown, but get your taste buds ready for Buckeye Candy & Cincinnati Chili
- Ohio housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Ohio is 10.57% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Ohio will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Ohio movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Kentucky to Ohio Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Ohio
- Lack of urban nightlife
- Limited public transport
- Fewer job opportunities
- Hot, humid summers
- Vibrant cities
- Extensive transit systems
- Diverse job market
- Milder summer temps
- Higher living expenses
- Busier environment
- Less cultural uniqueness
- More urban sprawl
- Lower cost of living
- Quieter pace of life
- Rich cultural heritage
- Stunning rural landscapes
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Ohio
- Say goodbye to lack of urban nightlife and hello to vibrant cities
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to Ohio with extensive transit systems
- Swap the fewer job opportunities of Kentucky for a diverse job market in Ohio
- Get ready for milder summer temperatures in Ohio
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Ohio
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Kentucky to live with the higher living expenses in Ohio
- You'll lose out on the pro of a quieter pace of life and have to settle for the con of a busier environment
- Time to bid farewell to the rich cultural heritage and get used to less cultural uniqueness in Ohio
- Swap stunning rural landscapes for more urban sprawl
Kentucky vs. Ohio: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Buckeye Candy |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Brown | Cincinnati Chili |
Most popular street food item | Burgoo | Polish Boy |
Most popular vegan food | Barbecue Seitan | Vegan Chili |
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 Ohio, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Buckeye Candy of Ohio. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Hot Brown and sumptuous Burgoo, Ohio residents know they have tasty Cincinnati Chili and Polish Boy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Barbecue Seitan they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Chili of Ohio. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Brown Hotel, Mammyβs Kitchen, and Claudia Sanders Dinner House. After the boxes are unpacked in Ohio, don't wait too long before making your way to Ohio's acclaimed eateries like Skyline Chili, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, and Sokolowski's University Inn.
When comparing lifestyles, Ohio shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Ohio compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Ohio.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Ohio
Comparison | Kentucky | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, privacy | Proximity to amenities, updated kitchens |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Ohio.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, Ohio's real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and updated kitchens.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Ohio is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Ohio is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Ohio has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Ohio housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $223,135 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Ohio have increased 49% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Ohio is 10.57% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Ohio
Comparison | Kentucky | Ohio |
---|---|---|
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, severe winter storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87/66 | 85/64 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44/27 | 36/22 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 39" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 12" | 28" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kentucky to Ohio. Ohio gets 10% fewer sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Ohio has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe winter storms in Ohio.
- The average summer high temperature in Ohio is 2 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Ohio. Ohio receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Ohio
Comparison | Kentucky | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $65,720 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 92.85 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 3.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 1.52% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 7.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Finance, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Ohio tend to earn about 11% more than those in Kentucky
- The COLI in Ohio is 6% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in OH is 3.99% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in Ohio is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
- The poverty level is moderate in Ohio compared to moderate poverty in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kentucky and moderate in Ohio
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Ohio
Comparison | Kentucky | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Swing State |
Local Politics | Moderately Conservative | Moderate to Liberal in Urban Areas |
Religion | Christian Majority | Christian Majority |
- Kentucky tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Ohio, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Ohio's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Ohio
Comparison | Kentucky | Ohio |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | Ohio State University University of Cincinnati Kent State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Stopher Elementary (Louisville) Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) Mann Elementary (Union) | Granville Elementary (Granville) Hudson Elementary (Hudson) Ottawa Hills Elementary (Ottawa Hills) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) Beaumont Middle (Lexington) North Oldham Middle School (Goshen) | Canfield Middle (Canfield) Hudson Middle (Hudson) Mason Middle (Mason) |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High (Louisville) North Oldham High School (Goshen) Beechwood High (Fort Mitchell) | Walnut Hills High (Cincinnati) Bexley High (Bexley) Solon High (Solon) |
Top 3 private high schools | Trinity High School (Louisville) Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) St. Xavier High School (Louisville) | Hawken School (Gates Mills) University School (Hunting Valley) The Seven Hills School (Cincinnati) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School (Lexington) Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville) Sayre School (Lexington) | The Columbus Academy (Gahanna) Western Reserve Academy (Hudson) Cincinnati Country Day School (Cincinnati) |
Top 3 School Districts | Oldham County Schools Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District | Ottawa Hills Local Schools Solon City School District Indian Hill Exempted Village School District |
How Much Do Kentucky to Ohio Movers Cost?
Moving 249 miles from Kentucky to Ohio 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: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,344 | 300 ft3 | $4.48 |
1 Bedroom | $1,993 | 450 ft3 | $4.43 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,284 | 750 ft3 | $4.38 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,762 | 1100 ft3 | $4.33 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,846 | 1600 ft3 | $4.28 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,612 | 1800 ft3 | $4.23 |
Top Kentucky to Ohio Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Ohio movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Ohio