Pennsylvania to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 553 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Kentucky Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Kentucky Fried Chicken & Burgoo
- Kentucky housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Kentucky is 11.77% more affordable than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Kentucky movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Kentucky
- High taxes
- Long winters
- Dense traffic
- High cost of living
- Lower taxes
- Milder winters
- Less traffic
- Affordable housing
- Limited historical landmarks
- Fewer fine dining options
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer job opportunities
- Rich historical sites
- Diverse culinary scene
- Vibrant cultural events
- Strong job market
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
- Look forward to moving away from long winters and moving to Kentucky with milder winters
- Swap the dense traffic of Pennsylvania for less traffic in Kentucky
- Get ready for affordable housing in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich historical sites in Pennsylvania to live with limited historical landmarks in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse culinary scene and have to settle with the con of fewer fine dining options
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant cultural events and get used to less cultural diversity in Kentucky
- Swap a strong job market for fewer job opportunities
Pennsylvania vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Kentucky Fried Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Pork and Sauerkraut | Burgoo |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Hot Brown Slider |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan Cheesesteak | BBQ Tempeh |
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 Pennsylvania to Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Pretzels, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Burgoo and Hot Brown Slider to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan Cheesesteak they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Tempeh of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Pat's King of Steaks, and Zahav. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like Mammoth Cave Hotel Dining, Clifford's Restaurant, and 610 Magnolia.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky, compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Kentucky
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, Granite countertops | Large backyards, Spacious garages |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like large backyards and spacious garages.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kentucky is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Kentucky housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Kentucky is 11.77% more affordable than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Kentucky
Comparison | Pennsylvania | 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 | Snowstorms, Floods | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 62Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 21Β°F | 44Β°F / 27Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 48 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 22 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 9% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Kentucky has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and floods in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 2 degrees warmer than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Kentucky
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.48% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Health Care, Finance | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Health Care |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 17% less than those in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Kentucky is 12% lower than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in KY is 5% compared to 3.07% in PA
- The affluence in Kentucky is modest compared to the moderate affluence in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is high in Kentucky compared to the moderate poverty level in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Pennsylvania and low in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State, leans Democratic in recent elections | Republican stronghold |
Local Politics | Mixture of liberal urban areas and conservative rural regions | Mostly conservative, with some moderate Democratic areas, especially in cities |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities in urban areas | Primarily Christian, with a significant Southern Baptist presence |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean swing State and leans Democratic in recent elections in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as a Republican stronghold
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a significant Southern Baptist presence
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities in urban areas
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Kentucky
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Penn State University University of Pennsylvania Temple University | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Albert M. Greenfield School (Philadelphia) South Side Elementary (Pittsburgh) Hilltop Academy (Lancaster) | Venice Elementary (Louisville) Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) Beechwood Elementary (Fort Mitchell) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Wayne Elementary School (Erie) Charles F. Patton Middle School (Kennett Square) | Meyzeek Middle School (Louisville) Beaumont Middle School (Lexington) Northern Middle School (Somerset) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) | duPont Manual High School (Louisville) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) Lexington Catholic High School (Lexington) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr) Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) The Agnes Irwin School (Rosemont) | The Lexington School (Lexington) The Sayre School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lower Merion School District Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District | Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District Oldham County Schools |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 553 miles from Pennsylvania to Kentucky will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,516 | 300 ft3 | $5.05 |
1 Bedroom | $2,251 | 450 ft3 | $5.00 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,715 | 750 ft3 | $4.95 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,394 | 1100 ft3 | $4.90 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,765 | 1600 ft3 | $4.85 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,646 | 1800 ft3 | $4.80 |
Top Pennsylvania to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Kentucky