North Carolina to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 472 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricanes vs fewer natural disasters), food & health (like Pulled Pork BBQ vs Kentucky Hot Brown), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pulled Pork BBQ and Eastern-style BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Kentucky Hot Brown & Fried Chicken
- Kentucky housing costs are 39% less expensive than they are in North Carolina
- Rent in Kentucky is 24.42% more affordable than in North Carolina
- Moving from North Carolina to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended North Carolina to Kentucky movers is Just Move It, LLC
North Carolina to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Kentucky
- Hurricanes
- High property taxes
- Tourist congestion
- High humidity
- Traffic congestion
- Fewer natural disasters
- Lower cost of living
- Less crowded attractions
- Moderate climate
- Simpler commutes
- Limited tech jobs
- Landlocked state
- Traditional norms
- Fewer major universities
- Less cultural diversity
- Vibrant tech industry
- Scenic beaches
- Progressive culture
- Prestigious universities
- Rich arts scene
Pros of moving from North Carolina to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to hurricanes and hello to fewer natural disasters
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Kentucky with a lower cost of living
- Swap the tourist congestion of North Carolina for less crowded attractions in Kentucky
- Get ready for a moderate climate in Kentucky
Cons of moving from North Carolina to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a vibrant tech industry in North Carolina to live with limited tech jobs in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of scenic beaches and have to settle for the con of a landlocked state
- Time to bid farewell to a progressive culture and get used to traditional norms in Kentucky
- Swap prestigious universities for fewer major universities
North Carolina vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Carolina | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pulled Pork BBQ | Kentucky Hot Brown |
Most popular meat dish | Eastern-style BBQ | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Carolina-style Hot Dogs | Bourbon Balls |
Most popular vegan food | Smoky Sweet Potato Burger | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 North Carolina to Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Kentucky Hot Brown of Kentucky. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern-style BBQ and sumptuous Carolina-style Hot Dogs, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Bourbon Balls to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Smoky Sweet Potato Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Fried Green Tomatoes of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Carolina eateries like The Pit, Lexington Barbecue, and Acme Food & Beverage Co. 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, Greyhound Tavern, and Mammy's Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky compared to what you are used to in North Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Kentucky
Comparison | North Carolina | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to beaches | Horse farms, spacious landscapes |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to beaches, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like horse farms and spacious landscapes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Kentucky is more walkable than North Carolina.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Kentucky is less bike-friendly than North Carolina.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than North Carolina.
- Kentucky housing costs are 39% less expensive than they are in North Carolina, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to North Carolinaβs $329,225.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
- Rent in Kentucky is 24.42% more affordable than in North Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Kentucky
Comparison | North Carolina | 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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88/66 | 87/65 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50/30 | 44/27 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 48 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 4 | 22 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Carolina to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 8% fewer sunshine days than North Carolina.
- Kentucky has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to North Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in North Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 1 degree colder than in North Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in North Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to North Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Kentucky
Comparison | North Carolina | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,481 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.85 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.25% | 5.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.85% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.98% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Technology, Healthcare | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 12% less than in North Carolina
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 8% lower than what you are used to living in North Carolina
- The state income tax in KY is 5.00% compared to 5.25% in NC
- The affluence in Kentucky is moderate compared to moderate in North Carolina
- The poverty level is high in Kentucky compared to moderate in North Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Carolina and moderate in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Kentucky
Comparison | North Carolina | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately conservative, with a mix of Republican and Democratic representation | Conservative, predominantly Republican representation |
Local Politics | Varies by region, with urban areas leaning more Democratic | Largely conservative across the state, with some Democratic strongholds in larger cities |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse denominations | Christianity predominant, with a significant Baptist presence |
- North Carolina tends to lean moderately conservative in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as conservative with predominantly Republican representation
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with a significant Baptist presence
- North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse denominations
Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Kentucky
Comparison | North Carolina | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Endhaven Elementary School Charlotte; Morrisville Elementary Morrisville; Davis Drive Elementary Cary | Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Louisville; Rosa Parks Elementary Lexington; Veteran's Park Elementary Lexington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Jay M. Robinson Middle Charlotte; Community House Middle Charlotte; Davis Drive Middle Cary | Beechwood Middle School Fort Mitchell; Barret Traditional Middle School Louisville; Bowling Green Junior High Bowling Green |
Top 3 High School Schools | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Durham; Raleigh Charter High School Raleigh; Myers Park High Charlotte | DuPont Manual High Louisville; Highlands High School Fort Thomas; Beechwood High School Fort Mitchell |
Top 3 private high schools | Charlotte Country Day School Charlotte; Ravenscroft School Raleigh; Durham Academy Durham | Sacred Heart Academy Louisville; St. Xavier High School Louisville; Lexington Catholic High School Lexington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Cary Academy Cary; Charlotte Latin School Charlotte; Providence Day School Charlotte | The Lexington School Lexington; The Louisville Collegiate School Louisville; Sayre School Lexington |
Top 3 School Districts | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools; Wake County Public School System; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | Fayette County Public Schools; Jefferson County Public Schools; Bowling Green Independent School District |
How Much Do North Carolina to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 472 miles from North Carolina 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: 2-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,470 | 300 ft3 | $4.90 |
1 Bedroom | $2,183 | 450 ft3 | $4.85 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,600 | 750 ft3 | $4.80 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,225 | 1100 ft3 | $4.75 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,520 | 1600 ft3 | $4.70 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,370 | 1800 ft3 | $4.65 |
Top North Carolina to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Carolina to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Kentucky