Movers

Missouri to Kentucky Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 466 mile interstate move from Missouri to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs mild climate), food & health (like St. Louis-Style Pizza vs Kentucky Hot Brown), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Kentucky), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to St. Louis-Style Pizza and Kansas City Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Kentucky Hot Brown & Fried Chicken
  • Kentucky housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Missouri
  • Rent in Kentucky is 1.91% more affordable than in Missouri
  • Moving from Missouri to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Missouri to Kentucky movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Missouri to Kentucky Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Kentucky

ConsMissouri iconMissouri
  • Hot summers
  • Tornado risks
  • Limited bourbon selection
  • Fewer horse farms
ProsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Mild climate
  • Less severe weather
  • Rich bourbon culture
  • Thoroughbred horse country

Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Fewer small-town options
  • No iconic landmark
  • Fewer urban eateries
  • Less water activity
Missouri iconMissouri
  • Charming towns
  • Gateway Arch
  • St. Louis cuisine
  • Plentiful lakes

Pros of moving from Missouri to Kentucky

  • Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to a mild climate
  • Look forward to moving away from tornado risks and moving to Kentucky with less severe weather
  • Swap the limited bourbon selection of Missouri for the rich bourbon culture in Kentucky
  • Get ready for thoroughbred horse country in Kentucky

Cons of moving from Missouri to Kentucky

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from charming towns in Missouri to live with fewer small-town options in Kentucky
  • You'll lose out on the pro of the Gateway Arch and have to settle for the con of no iconic landmark
  • Time to bid farewell to St. Louis cuisine and get used to fewer urban eateries in Kentucky
  • Swap plentiful lakes for less water activity

Missouri vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMissouriKentucky
Most iconic local food itemSt. Louis-Style PizzaKentucky Hot Brown
Most popular meat dishKansas City BarbecueFried Chicken
Most popular street food itemToasted RavioliBurgoo
Most popular vegan foodCauliflower WingsBBQ Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Pappy's Smokehouse
  • Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
  • The Brown Hotel
  • Ramsey's Diner
  • Frogtown Custard Shop
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Missouri to Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-Style Pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious Kentucky Hot Brown of Kentucky. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Kansas City Barbecue and sumptuous Toasted Ravioli, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Burgoo to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Cauliflower Wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Pappy's Smokehouse, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like The Brown Hotel, Ramsey's Diner, and Frogtown Custard Shop.

When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Kentucky

ComparisonMissouriKentucky
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchColonial, Cape Cod
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious Yards, Modern KitchensHistorical Features, Large Garages
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Kentucky.
  • Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and modern kitchens, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like historical elements and large garages.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Kentucky is less walkable than Missouri.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Missouri.
  • Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Missouri.
  • Kentucky housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Missouri’s $243,216.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
  • Rent in Kentucky is 1.91% more affordable than in Missouri.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Kentucky

ComparisonMissouriKentucky
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodsTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89Β°F / 67Β°F87Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 23Β°F42Β°F / 27Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4245
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1812
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Missouri to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 9% fewer sunshine days than Missouri.
  • Kentucky has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Missouri.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
  • The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 2 degrees colder than in Missouri.
  • The average winter lows in Kentucky are 4 degrees warmer than in Missouri.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Missouri.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Kentucky

ComparisonMissouriKentucky
Avg. Household Income$64,811$59,341
Cost of Living Index91.887.8
State Income Tax5.4%5%
Avg. Property Tax0.93%0.84%
Avg. Sales Tax8.25%6%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, RetailManufacturing, Healthcare, Education
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertySignificantSignificant
HomelessnessManageableManageable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 8% less than those in Missouri
  • The COLI in Kentucky is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Missouri
  • The state income tax in KY is 5% compared to 5.4% in MO
  • The affluence in Kentucky is moderate compared to moderate in Missouri
  • The poverty level is significant in Kentucky compared to significant in Missouri
  • In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Missouri and manageable in Kentucky

Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Kentucky

ComparisonMissouriKentucky
Political Make-upLeans RepublicanLeans Republican
Local PoliticsVaries by region, with urban areas leaning more DemocraticRural areas strongly Republican, urban areas more mixed
ReligionChristianity predominates, followed by non-affiliatedPrimarily Christian, with a significant Baptist presence
  • Missouri tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
  • Kentucky's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a significant Baptist presence
  • Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominates, followed by non-affiliated

Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Kentucky

ComparisonMissouriKentucky
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Missouri
Missouri State University
Southeast Missouri State University
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
Western Kentucky University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsW.W. Keysor Elementary School (Kirkwood)
Mason Ridge Elementary School (Town and Country)
John Thomas School of Discovery (Nixa)
Anchorage Public School (Anchorage)
Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington)
Stopher Elementary School (Louisville)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLadue Middle School (Ladue)
John Burroughs School (Ladue)
Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville)
Beaumont Middle School (Lexington)
North Oldham Middle School (Goshen)
Top 3 High SchoolsClayton High School (Clayton)
Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Ladue)
John Burroughs School (Ladue)
DuPont Manual High School (Louisville)
Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell)
North Oldham High School (Goshen)
Top 3 private high schoolsThomas Jefferson School (St. Louis)
The Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
John Burroughs School (Ladue)
Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville)
Trinity High School (Louisville)
St. Xavier High School (Louisville)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
John Burroughs School (Ladue)
Thomas Jefferson School (St. Louis)
St. Xavier High School (Louisville)
Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville)
The Lexington School (Lexington)
Top 3 School DistrictsClayton School District
Ladue School District
Park Hill School District
Oldham County Schools
Beechwood Independent School District
Fort Thomas Independent Schools

How Much Do Missouri to Kentucky Movers Cost?

Moving 466 miles from Missouri to Kentucky 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 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2.5-7.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,467300 ft3$4.89
1 Bedroom$2,178450 ft3$4.84
2 Bedrooms$3,592750 ft3$4.79
3 Bedrooms$5,2131100 ft3$4.74
4 Bedrooms$7,5021600 ft3$4.69
5+ Bedrooms$8,3501800 ft3$4.64

Top Missouri to Kentucky Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for Missouri to Kentucky

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Tiger Moving LLC featured image

Tiger Moving LLC

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Action Moving featured image

Action Moving

9.31/10
ExceptionalView details