Movers

New York to Kentucky Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 807 mile interstate move from New York to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like New York-style Pizza vs Kentucky Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (modern, high-rise vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to New York-style Pizza and Pastrami on Rye, but get your taste buds ready for Kentucky Fried Chicken & Burgoo
  • Kentucky housing costs are 56% less expensive than they are in New York
  • Rent in Kentucky is 47.60% more affordable than in New York
  • Moving from New York to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended New York to Kentucky movers is JP Urban Moving

New York to Kentucky Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to Kentucky

ConsNew York iconNew York
  • High cost of living
  • Dense population
  • Traffic congestion
  • Harsh winters
  • Noise pollution
ProsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Lower cost of living
  • Spacious surroundings
  • Less traffic
  • Milder winters
  • Quieter atmosphere

Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Less diverse
  • Limited transit options
  • Fewer job markets
  • Quieter evenings
  • Fewer dining options
New York iconNew York
  • Cultural diversity
  • Public transit
  • Job opportunities
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • World-class restaurants

Pros of moving from New York to Kentucky

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
  • Look forward to moving away from the dense population and moving to Kentucky with spacious surroundings
  • Swap the traffic congestion of New York for less traffic in Kentucky
  • Get ready for milder winters in Kentucky

Cons of moving from New York to Kentucky

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the cultural diversity in New York to live with less diversity in Kentucky
  • You'll lose out on the pro of public transit and have to settle with the con of limited transit options
  • Time to bid farewell to the job opportunities and get used to fewer job markets in Kentucky
  • Swap the vibrant nightlife for quieter evenings

New York vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew YorkKentucky
Most iconic local food itemNew York-style PizzaKentucky Fried Chicken
Most popular meat dishPastrami on RyeBurgoo
Most popular street food itemHot DogsHot Brown Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastFried Green Tomatoes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Katz's Delicatessen
  • Per Se
  • Sylvia's Restaurant
  • The Brown Hotel
  • Jack Fry's
  • Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn
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 New York to Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic New York-style Pizza of New York for the equally delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful Pastrami on Rye & sumptuous Hot Dogs, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Burgoo and Hot Brown Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast 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 New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Per Se, and Sylvia's Restaurant. 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, Jack Fry's, and Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and Kentucky

ComparisonNew YorkKentucky
Typical Architecture StyleModern, High-riseColonial, Ranch
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 listingProximity to public transportation, ViewsLarge yards, Proximity to nature
  • The Modern and High-rise architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Kentucky.
  • Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to public transportation and views, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and proximity to nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kentucky is less walkable than New York.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than New York.
  • Kentucky has less of an urban feel than New York.
  • Kentucky housing costs are 56% less expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to New York’s $460,812.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
  • Rent in Kentucky is 47.60% more affordable than in New York.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and Kentucky

ComparisonNew YorkKentucky
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 DisastersBlizzards, HurricanesTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 62Β°F87Β°F / 67Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)38Β°F / 18Β°F44Β°F / 24Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44.6250.00
Annual Snowfall (Inches)25.312.5
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 13% fewer sunshine days than New York.
  • Kentucky has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New York.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and hurricanes in New York, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 5 degrees warmer than in New York.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in New York.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 5.4 more inches of rain compared to New York.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and Kentucky

ComparisonNew YorkKentucky
Avg. Household Income$79,557$59,341
Cost of Living Index102.887.8
State Income Tax4 - 8.825
Avg. Property Tax0.960.83
Avg. Sales Tax4.06.0
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Healthcare, TechManufacturing, Agriculture, Energy
AffluenceWealthyModest
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessSevereLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 25% less than in New York
  • The COLI in Kentucky will be 15% lower than what you are used to living in New York
  • The state income tax in KY is 5 compared to 4 - 8.82 in NY
  • The affluence in Kentucky is modest compared to wealthy in New York
  • The poverty level is high in Kentucky compared to moderate in New York
  • In terms of homelessness, it is severe in New York and low in Kentucky

Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. Kentucky

ComparisonNew YorkKentucky
Political Make-upPredominantly DemocraticPredominantly Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive policiesConservative policies
ReligionDiverse, with a significant proportion of non-religious individualsPredominantly Christian
  • New York tends to lean predominantly Democratic in its political climate
  • Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as predominantly Republican
  • Kentucky's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
  • New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a significant proportion of non-religious individuals

Education Guide When Moving from New York to Kentucky

ComparisonNew YorkKentucky
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)NYU
Columbia University
Cornell University
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
Western Kentucky University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPS 77 Lower Lab School (New York)
Success Academy Charter School-Bronx 1 (Bronx)
Ps 172 Beacon School of Excellence (Brooklyn)
Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary School (Louisville)
Ashland Elementary (Lexington)
Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBaccalaureate School for Global Education (Queens)
NYC Lab Middle School for Collaborative Studies (Manhattan)
Anderson School (New York)
Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville)
Beaumont Middle School (Lexington)
Glasgow Middle School (Glasgow)
Top 3 High SchoolsStuyvesant High School (New York)
Bronx High School of Science (Bronx)
Brooklyn Technical High School (Brooklyn)
DuPont Manual High (Louisville)
Highlands High School (Fort Thomas)
Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell)
Top 3 private high schoolsHorace Mann School (Bronx)
The Brearley School (New York)
Collegiate School (New York)
Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville)
Trinity High School (Louisville)
Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsRiverdale Country School (Bronx)
The Chapin School (New York)
Collegiate School (New York)
The Lexington School (Lexington)
Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville)
Sayre School (Lexington)
Top 3 School DistrictsJericho Union Free School District
Scarsdale Union Free School District
Great Neck Public Schools
Oldham County Public Schools
Fort Thomas Independent Schools
Beechwood Independent School District

How Much Do New York to Kentucky Movers Cost?

Moving 807 miles from New York to Kentucky will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,660300 ft3$5.53
1 Bedroom$2,467450 ft3$5.48
2 Bedrooms$4,075750 ft3$5.43
3 Bedrooms$5,9221100 ft3$5.38
4 Bedrooms$8,5331600 ft3$5.33
5+ Bedrooms$9,5101800 ft3$5.28

Top New York to Kentucky Movers

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

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for New York to Kentucky

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Flex Moving and Storage featured image

Flex Moving and Storage

9.70/10
ExceptionalView details