Kentucky to Washington Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 2,381 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited public transit vs efficient public transport), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs northwest regional, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Cedar Plank Salmon
- Washington housing costs are 194% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Washington is 50.60% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Washington will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Washington movers is Seattle Moves & More
Kentucky to Washington Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Washington
- Limited public transit
- Fewer tech jobs
- Humid summers
- Limited outdoor activities
- Efficient public transport
- Diverse tech industry
- Mild summers
- Variety of outdoor options
- High cost of living
- More urban isolation
- Hustle and bustle
- Rainy weather
- Low cost of living
- Community spirit
- Quieter lifestyle
- Four distinct seasons
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Washington
- Say goodbye to limited public transit and hello to efficient public transport
- Look forward to moving away from fewer tech jobs and moving to Washington with a diverse tech industry
- Swap the humid summers of Kentucky for mild summers in Washington
- Get ready for a variety of outdoor options in Washington
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Washington
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Kentucky to live with the high cost of living in Washington
- You'll lose out on the pro of community spirit and have to settle for the con of more urban isolation
- Time to bid farewell to a quieter lifestyle and get used to the hustle and bustle in Washington
- Swap four distinct seasons for rainy weather
Kentucky vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Washington |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | Cedar Plank Salmon |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Sandwich | Fish Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Foraged Mushroom Dishes |
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 Washington, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Washington residents know they have tasty Cedar Plank Salmon and Fish Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Foraged Mushroom Dishes of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Brown Hotel, Highland Fish Market, and Sylviaβs Sweets and Eats. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, Salumi Artisan Cured Meats, and Tilikum Place CafΓ©.
When comparing lifestyles, Washington shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Washington compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Washington.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Washington
Comparison | Kentucky | Washington |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Northwest Regional, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, privacy | Eco-friendly features, views |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Northwest Regional and Craftsman architecture typical of Washington.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly characteristics and views.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Washington is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Washington is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Washington has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Washington housing costs are 194% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Washington is 50.60% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Washington
Comparison | Kentucky | Washington |
---|---|---|
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 | Earthquakes, Volcanoes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F/66Β°F | 75Β°F/55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F/23Β°F | 47Β°F/36Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48 | 38 (varies greatly by region) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11 | 20 (varies greatly by region) |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kentucky to Washington. Washington gets 22% fewer sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Washington 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 earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 12 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows in Washington are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Washington. Washington receives 10 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Washington
Comparison | Kentucky | Washington |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $91,306 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 104.1 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.86% | 0.93% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 9.23% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 54% more than those in Kentucky
- The COLI in Washington is 19% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Washington is high compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
- The poverty level is low in Washington compared to moderate poverty in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kentucky and high in Washington
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Washington
Comparison | Kentucky | Washington |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Strong local governance, with a focus on community values | Progressive policies with emphasis on environmental and social justice issues |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Christian <a href="https://www.kybaptist.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Kentucky Baptist Convention</a> | Less religious, diverse faiths with significant numbers of unaffiliated individuals |
- Kentucky tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Washington, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
- Washington's religious environment can be described as less religious and diverse, with significant numbers of unaffiliated individuals
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian <a href="https://www.kybaptist.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Kentucky Baptist Convention</a>
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Washington
Comparison | Kentucky | Washington |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of Washington Washington State University Western Washington University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pikeville Elementary Pikeville Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Louisville Mann Elementary Union | Cascade Ridge Elementary Issaquah Bennett Elementary Bellevue Sunny Hills Elementary Sammamish |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle Louisville Highland Middle Fort Thomas North Oldham Middle Goshen | International School Bellevue Pacific Cascade Middle Issaquah Challenge Elementary Mount Vernon |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High Louisville Highlands High Fort Thomas Beechwood High Fort Mitchell | International School Bellevue Liberty High Renton Bellevue High Bellevue |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy Louisville St. Xavier High School Louisville Lexington Catholic High Lexington | Lakeside School Seattle The Overlake School Redmond Seattle Preparatory School Seattle |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School Lexington Kentucky Country Day Louisville Sayre School Lexington | Eastside Preparatory School Kirkland The Bear Creek School Redmond Seattle Academy Seattle |
Top 3 School Districts | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Boone County Schools | Lake Washington School District Bellevue School District Issaquah School District |
How Much Do Kentucky to Washington Movers Cost?
Moving 2,381 miles from Kentucky to Washington will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,552 | 300 ft3 | $8.51 |
1 Bedroom | $3,806 | 450 ft3 | $8.46 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,306 | 750 ft3 | $8.41 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,194 | 1100 ft3 | $8.36 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,292 | 1600 ft3 | $8.31 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,864 | 1800 ft3 | $8.26 |
Top Kentucky to Washington Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Washington movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Seattle Moves & More
Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Washington