Ohio to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 249 mile interstate move from Ohio to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Ohio vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climates), food & health (like Cincinnati Chili vs Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Ohio), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cincinnati Chili and Pork Schnitzel, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Chicken & Hot Brown Turkey Sandwich
- Kentucky housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Ohio
- Rent in Kentucky is 9.56% more affordable than in Ohio
- Moving from Ohio to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Ohio to Kentucky movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Ohio to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Ohio to Kentucky
- Harsh winters
- Flat landscapes
- Higher taxes
- Dense traffic
- Milder climates
- Rolling hills
- Lower taxes
- Less congestion
- Limited job options
- Rural landscapes
- Fewer pro teams
- Less diversity
- Diverse job market
- Urban amenities
- Major sports teams
- Cultural diversity
Pros of moving from Ohio to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder climates
- Look forward to moving away from flat landscapes and moving to Kentucky with rolling hills
- Swap the higher taxes of Ohio for lower taxes in Kentucky
- Get ready for less congestion in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Ohio to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a diverse job market in Ohio to live with limited job options in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of urban amenities and have to settle for the con of rural landscapes
- Time to bid farewell to major sports teams and get used to fewer pro teams in Kentucky
- Swap cultural diversity for less diversity
Ohio vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Ohio | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cincinnati Chili | Fried Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Pork Schnitzel | Hot Brown Turkey Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Buckeye Candy | Bourbon Balls |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetarian Chili | Barbecue 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 Ohio to Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Cincinnati Chili of Ohio for the equally delicious Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in Ohio rave about their flavorful Pork Schnitzel and sumptuous Buckeye Candy, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Hot Brown Turkey Sandwich and Bourbon Balls to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetarian Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Barbecue Jackfruit of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Ohio eateries like Slyman's Deli, Schmidt's Sausage Haus, and Skyline Chili. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like KFC, Mammoth Lodge, and The Brown Hotel.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Ohio. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky compared to what you are used to in Ohio. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Ohio and Kentucky
Comparison | Ohio | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Family-friendly, Spacious | Scenic views, Privacy |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Ohio is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Ohio's real estate listings that commonly reference family-friendly and spacious features, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and privacy.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kentucky is less walkable than Ohio.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Ohio.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Ohio.
- Kentucky housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Ohio, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Ohioβs $223,135.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 49% increase in Ohio.
- Rent in Kentucky is 9.56% more affordable than in Ohio.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Ohio and Kentucky
Comparison | Ohio | 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 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Generally Good | Varies; Urban vs Rural Areas |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F/63Β°F | 87Β°F/66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 36Β°F/22Β°F | 41Β°F/26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 39 | 48 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 28 | 22 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Ohio to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 11% more sunshine days than Ohio.
- Kentucky has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Ohio.
- Say goodbye to the possible severe storms and tornadoes in Ohio, but be on the lookout for potential severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Kentucky.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 4 degrees warmer than in Ohio.
- The average winter lows are 4 degrees warmer than they are in Ohio.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 9 more inches of rain compared to Ohio.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Ohio and Kentucky
Comparison | Ohio | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,720 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.85 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 2.85% - 4.80% | 2.00% - 5.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.48% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.75% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 10% less than in Ohio
- The COLI in Kentucky is 5% lower than what you are used to living in Ohio
- The state income tax in KY is 2.00% to 5.00% compared to 2.85% to 4.80% in OH
- The affluence in Kentucky is moderate compared to moderate in Ohio
- The poverty level is higher in Kentucky compared to moderate in Ohio
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Ohio and lower in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Ohio vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Ohio | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Republican, with swing state dynamics | Strongly Republican, especially in rural areas |
Local Politics | Diverse, urban areas lean Democratic | Conservative, with some Democratic enclaves |
Religion | Mixed, with a strong Protestant presence | Primarily Protestant, with a significant Baptist community (See More) |
- Ohio tends to lean moderately Republican in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican, especially in rural areas
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant, with a significant Baptist community (See More)
- Ohio's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a strong Protestant presence
Education Guide When Moving from Ohio to Kentucky
Comparison | Ohio | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Ohio State University University of Cincinnati Kent State University | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Ottawa Hills Elementary Ottawa Hills; Indian Hill Elementary Cincinnati; Granville Elementary Granville | Pewee Valley Junior Academy Pewee Valley; Anchorage Public Elementary Anchorage; Rosa Parks Elementary Lexington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bexley Middle School Bexley; Hudson Middle School Hudson; Canfield Middle School Canfield | DuPont Manual High/Middle Louisville; Beechwood Middle School Fort Mitchell; Barret Traditional Middle School Louisville |
Top 3 High Schools | Walnut Hills High School Cincinnati; Bexley High School Bexley; Solon High School Solon | DuPont Manual High School Louisville; North Oldham High School Goshen; Beechwood High School Fort Mitchell |
Top 3 private high schools | Hawken School Gates Mills; University School Hunting Valley; The Seven Hills School Cincinnati | Sacred Heart Academy Louisville; Trinity High School Louisville; St. Xavier High School Louisville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Columbus Academy Gahanna; Western Reserve Academy Hudson; The Seven Hills School Cincinnati | The Lexington School Lexington; Kentucky Country Day School Louisville; Sayre School Lexington |
Top 3 School Districts | Ottawa Hills Local Schools Solon City School District Indian Hill Exempted Village School District | Oldham County Schools Beechwood Independent School District Anchorage Independent Public Schools |
How Much Do Ohio to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 249 miles from Ohio 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: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,344 | 300 ft3 | $4.48 |
1 Bedroom | $1,993 | 450 ft3 | $4.43 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,284 | 750 ft3 | $4.38 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,762 | 1100 ft3 | $4.33 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,846 | 1600 ft3 | $4.28 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,612 | 1800 ft3 | $4.23 |
Top Ohio to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Ohio to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Best moving company overall for Ohio to Kentucky