Kentucky to Texas Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 1,116 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Texas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Texas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Brisket), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, spanish), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Texas), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Hot Brown, but get your taste buds ready for Brisket & Texas BBQ Ribs
- Texas housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Texas is 29.31% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Texas will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Texas movers is Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Kentucky to Texas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Texas
- Harsh winters
- Limited tech jobs
- Higher state taxes
- Few big cities
- Moderate restaurant options
- Milder winters
- Abundant tech opportunities
- No state income tax
- More metropolitan areas
- Vibrant food scene
- Less historical depth
- Flat terrain
- More traffic
- Higher real estate prices
- Hotter temperatures
- Rich cultural history
- Serene landscapes
- Friendly communities
- Affordable living cost
- Distinct seasons
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Texas
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited tech jobs and moving to Texas with abundant tech opportunities
- Swap the higher state taxes of Kentucky for no state income tax in Texas
- Get ready for more metropolitan areas in Texas
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Texas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich cultural history in Kentucky to live with less historical depth in Texas
- You'll lose out on the pro of serene landscapes and have to settle for the con of flat terrain
- Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to more traffic in Texas
- Swap affordable living costs for higher real estate prices
Kentucky vs. Texas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Texas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Brown | Texas BBQ Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Burgoo | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Kentucky Bibb Salad | Tex-Mex Vegan Bowl |
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 Texas, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Brisket of Texas. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Hot Brown and sumptuous Burgoo, Texas residents know they have tasty Texas BBQ Ribs and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kentucky Bibb Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tex-Mex Vegan Bowl of Texas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Brown Hotel, Ramsey's Diner, and Mammoth Cave Hotel Dining. After the boxes are unpacked in Texas, don't wait too long before making your way to Texas' acclaimed eateries like Franklin Barbecue, CafΓ© Modern, and La Fonda on Main.
When comparing lifestyles, Texas shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Texas compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Texas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Texas
Comparison | Kentucky | Texas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Ranch, Spanish |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, historic charm | Modern amenities, energy efficiency |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Spanish architecture typical of Texas.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings, which commonly reference large yards and historic charm, Texas real estate listings often highlight features like modern amenities and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Texas is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Texas is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Texas has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Texas housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $304,027 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Texas have increased by 45% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Texas is 29.31% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Texas
Comparison | Kentucky | Texas |
---|---|---|
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, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 94Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 23Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 36" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11" | 1" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Texas. Texas gets 20% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Texas 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in Texas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Texas is 7 degrees warmer than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 15 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Texas. Texas receives 9 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Texas
Comparison | Kentucky | Texas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $72,284 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 91.1 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 1.80% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 8.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Technology, Energy, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate to High |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Moderate | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Texas tend to earn about 22% more than those in Kentucky.
- The COLI in Texas will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky.
- Hooray, moving to TX means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Texas is moderate to high compared to moderate in Kentucky.
- The poverty level is lower in Texas compared to moderate in Kentucky.
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Kentucky and moderate in Texas.
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Texas
Comparison | Kentucky | Texas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Republican in federal elections | Traditionally Republican, but becoming more competitive |
Local Politics | Varies by county; urban areas more Democratic | Urban areas lean Democratic, rural areas strongly Republican |
Religion | Christian majority, with a strong evangelical presence | Christian majority, diverse religious communities in urban areas |
- Kentucky tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in federal elections in its political climate
- Texas, on the other hand, is often described as traditionally Republican but becoming more competitive
- Texas's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities in urban areas
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a strong evangelical presence
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Texas
Comparison | Kentucky | Texas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of Texas at Austin Texas A&M University University of Houston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Beechwood Elementary (Fort Mitchell) Greathouse/Shryock Traditional (Louisville) Pikeville Elementary (Pikeville) | Carroll Elementary (Southlake) Old Union Elementary (Southlake) William B Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted (Dallas) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) North Oldham Middle School (Goshen) | Coppell Middle East (Coppell) William B Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted (Dallas) Canyon Ridge Middle School (Austin) |
Top 3 High Schools | Dupont Manual High (Louisville) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) North Oldham High School (Goshen) | Liberal Arts and Science Academy (Austin) School for the Talented and Gifted (Dallas) Westlake High School (Austin) |
Top 3 private high schools | Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington) | St. Mark's School of Texas (Dallas) The Hockaday School (Dallas) Greenhill School (Addison) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School (Lexington) Sayre School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) | St. Stephen's Episcopal School (Austin) The John Cooper School (The Woodlands) Kinkaid School (Houston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District Pikeville Independent Schools | Eanes Independent School District Coppell ISD Southlake Carroll Independent School District |
How Much Do Kentucky to Texas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,116 miles from Kentucky to Texas will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Braunfels Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,835 | 300 ft3 | $6.12 |
1 Bedroom | $2,730 | 450 ft3 | $6.07 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,513 | 750 ft3 | $6.02 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,564 | 1100 ft3 | $5.97 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,468 | 1600 ft3 | $5.92 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,561 | 1800 ft3 | $5.87 |
Top Kentucky to Texas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Texas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Phoenix Express Specialty Moving & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Texas
Louisville to Texas
- Louisville to Amarillo
- Louisville to Arlington
- Louisville to Austin
- Louisville to Corpus Christi
- Louisville to Dallas
- Louisville to El Paso
- Louisville to Fort Worth
- Louisville to Frisco
- Louisville to Garland
- Louisville to Grand Prairie
- Louisville to Houston
- Louisville to Irving
- Louisville to Killeen
- Louisville to Laredo
- Louisville to Lubbock
- Louisville to McKinney
- Louisville to Pasadena
- Louisville to Plano
- Louisville to San Antonio
Lexington to Texas
- Lexington to Amarillo
- Lexington to Arlington
- Lexington to Austin
- Lexington to Corpus Christi
- Lexington to Dallas
- Lexington to El Paso
- Lexington to Fort Worth
- Lexington to Frisco
- Lexington to Garland
- Lexington to Grand Prairie
- Lexington to Houston
- Lexington to Irving
- Lexington to Killeen
- Lexington to Laredo
- Lexington to Lubbock
- Lexington to McKinney
- Lexington to Pasadena
- Lexington to Plano
- Lexington to San Antonio