Washington to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 2,385 mile interstate move from Washington to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Salmon vs Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (modern and craftsman vs colonial and ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Salmon and Coffee Rubbed Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Chicken & Hot Brown Turkey Sandwich
- Kentucky housing costs are 66% less expensive than they are in Washington
- Rent in Kentucky is 33.60% more affordable than in Washington
- Moving from Washington to Kentucky will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Washington to Kentucky movers is Seattle Moves & More
Washington to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Kentucky
- High cost of living
- Consistent rain
- Heavy traffic
- Lower cost of living
- Milder weather
- Less congestion
- Fewer hospital options
- Limited tech jobs
- Smaller arts community
- High healthcare quality
- Rich tech industry
- Vibrant arts scene
Pros of moving from Washington 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 consistent rain and moving to Kentucky with milder weather
- Swap the heavy traffic of Washington for less congestion in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Washington to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the high healthcare quality in Washington to live with fewer hospital options in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich tech industry and have to settle with the con of limited tech jobs
- Time to bid farewell to the vibrant arts scene and get used to a smaller arts community in Kentucky
Washington vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Washington | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Salmon | Fried Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Coffee Rubbed Steak | Hot Brown Turkey Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Burgoo |
Most popular vegan food | Acai Bowls | 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 Washington to Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Washington for the equally delicious Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Coffee Rubbed Steak and sumptuous Tacos, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Hot Brown Turkey Sandwich and Burgoo to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Acai Bowls 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 Washington eateries like Canlis, The Pink Door, and Rayβs Boathouse. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like Jack Fry's, Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, and Proof on Main.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Washington. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky, compared to what you are used to in Washington. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and Kentucky
Comparison | Washington | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern and Craftsman | Colonial and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Green space, Energy efficiency | Spacious yards, Historic details |
- The Modern and Craftsman architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference green space and energy efficiency, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and historic details.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away, as Kentucky is less walkable than Washington.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike, as Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Washington.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Washington.
- Kentucky housing costs are 66% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Washingtonβs $591,148.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
- Rent in Kentucky is 33.60% more affordable than in Washington.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Washington and Kentucky
Comparison | Washington | 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 | Earthquakes, Volcanoes | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Varies by location |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 75Β°F / 55Β°F | 87Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 47Β°F / 37Β°F | 44Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 38 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5 | 22 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 28% more sunshine days than Washington.
- Kentucky has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington, 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 12 degrees warmer than in Washington.
- The average winter lows are 9 degrees colder than they are in Washington.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 12 more inches of rain compared to Washington.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and Kentucky
Comparison | Washington | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,306 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 104.1 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 0% - 9.5% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.03% | 0.86% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.5%-10.5% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy |
Affluence | Wealthy | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Significant | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 35% less than in Washington
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 16% lower than what you are used to living in Washington
- The state income tax in KY is 5% compared to 0% - 9.5% in WA
- The affluence in Kentucky is modest compared to that of wealthy residents in Washington
- The poverty level is high in Kentucky compared to moderate levels in Washington
- In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Washington and low in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Washington | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Liberal | Lean Conservative |
Local Politics | Progressive Policies | Traditional Values |
Religion | Less Religiously Affiliated | Higher Religious Affiliation |
- Washington tends to lean Liberal in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as lean Conservative
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as higher Religious Affiliation
- Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less Religiously Affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Kentucky
Comparison | Washington | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Washington Washington State University Seattle University | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cascade K-8 (Shoreline) Challenge Elementary (Everett) Bertschi School (Seattle) | Athertonville Elementary (Louisville) Brandeis Elementary (Louisville) Stopher Elementary (Louisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | International School (Bellevue) Washington Middle School (Seattle) Lakeside Middle School (Seattle) | Meyzeek Middle School (Louisville) Newburg Middle School (Louisville) Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) |
Top 3 High Schools | Bellevue High School (Bellevue) Lakeside School (Seattle) The Bush School (Seattle) | DuPont Manual High (Louisville) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Overlake School (Redmond) Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland) Seattle Academy (Seattle) | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) St. Xavier High School (Louisville) Trinity High School (Louisville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Bush School (Seattle) Seattle Academy (Seattle) Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland) | Lexington Christian Academy (Lexington) Christian Academy of Louisville (Louisville) The Lexington School (Lexington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lake Washington School District Bellevue School District Mercer Island School District | Fayette County Public Schools Jefferson County Public Schools Daviess County Public Schools |
How Much Do Washington to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 2,385 miles from Washington to Kentucky will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,000
- 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 | $2,555 | 300 ft3 | $8.52 |
1 Bedroom | $3,809 | 450 ft3 | $8.47 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,312 | 750 ft3 | $8.42 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,202 | 1100 ft3 | $8.37 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,305 | 1600 ft3 | $8.32 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,878 | 1800 ft3 | $8.27 |
Top Washington to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Washington to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Seattle Moves & More
Best moving company overall for Washington to Kentucky