Missouri to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

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
- Hot summers
- Tornado risks
- Limited bourbon selection
- Fewer horse farms
- Mild climate
- Less severe weather
- Rich bourbon culture
- Thoroughbred horse country
- Fewer small-town options
- No iconic landmark
- Fewer urban eateries
- Less water activity
- 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
Comparison | Missouri | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis-Style Pizza | Kentucky Hot Brown |
Most popular meat dish | Kansas City Barbecue | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Toasted Ravioli | Burgoo |
Most popular vegan food | Cauliflower Wings | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 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
Comparison | Missouri | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious Yards, Modern Kitchens | Historical 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 Missouriβs $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
Comparison | Missouri | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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, Floods |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89Β°F / 67Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 23Β°F | 42Β°F / 27Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | 12 |
- 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
Comparison | Missouri | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.4% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93% | 0.84% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.25% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Significant | Significant |
Homelessness | Manageable | Manageable |
- 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
Comparison | Missouri | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Varies by region, with urban areas leaning more Democratic | Rural areas strongly Republican, urban areas more mixed |
Religion | Christianity predominates, followed by non-affiliated | Primarily 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
Comparison | Missouri | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | W.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 Schools | Ladue 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 Schools | Clayton 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 schools | Thomas 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 schools | The 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 Districts | Clayton 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,467 | 300 ft3 | $4.89 |
1 Bedroom | $2,178 | 450 ft3 | $4.84 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,592 | 750 ft3 | $4.79 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,213 | 1100 ft3 | $4.74 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,502 | 1600 ft3 | $4.69 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,350 | 1800 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.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to Kentucky