Head-to-head
Ohio vs Kentucky
Kentucky sits 2.615 points below Ohio on the 2024 all-items measure (90.159 vs 92.774): its utilities are 20.510 points cheaper and its rents 8.699 points cheaper, but Ohio's goods cost less.
Updated
| Measure | Ohio | Kentucky | First − second |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-items price level | 92.774 | 90.159 | +2.615 points |
| Rent price level | 73.012 | 64.313 | +8.699 points |
| Home value | $214,800±$742 | $205,600±$1,096 | +$9,200 |
| Two-bedroom gross rent | $1,063±$6 | $968±$7 | +$95 |
| Household income | $71,389±$321 | $63,726±$429 | +$7,663 |
| Real estate taxes paid | $2,822±$10 | $1,544±$10 | +$1,278 |
$4,000 of monthly spending in Ohio scales to $3,887 in Kentucky at the 2024 all-items price ratio.
BEA 2024 and ACS 2020–2024; ± marks the Census 90% margin. How to read a gap
Ohio vs Kentucky: utilities and property tax decide it
The two states trade advantages. Kentucky's utilities parity is 75.313 against Ohio's 95.823, the biggest category difference, and its rent parity 64.313 against 73.012. Ohio is cheaper for goods, 93.670 against 95.967, the second-lowest goods level in the country. Other services differ by 1.697 points.
Rents differ little in dollars. Kentucky's two-bedroom median is just $95 a month lower, and renters in both states spend almost the same share of income on gross rent: 28.3% and 28.1%.
Owners see a clearer split. Kentucky owners pay $1,278 less a year in property tax at the median, on homes worth only $9,200 less. Owners with a mortgage report median monthly costs of $1,517 and $1,433.
Incomes favour Ohio. Ohio's incomes are higher by $7,663 at the household median and $3,942 per person after the price adjustment.
Ohio's 2026 income tax charges 2.75% on nonbusiness income above $26,050 under Revised Code 5747.02, with business income taxed separately at 3%. In fiscal 2025, Ohio's general sales supplied 42.6% of state collections and individual income tax 28.3%; Kentucky's shares were 33.6% and 27.7%, with corporate income tax adding 13.5%. Total collections were $3,264 per resident in Ohio and $3,763 in Kentucky. For a cross-border commute around Cincinnati, identify the home and job jurisdictions before estimating either state's tax.
Both states have edged up since 2020, Ohio from 91.935 and Kentucky from 89.078.
Price levels by category
| Measure | Ohio | Kentucky | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.774 | 90.159 | +2.615 |
| Goods | 93.670 | 95.967 | −2.297 |
| Housing (rents) | 73.012 | 64.313 | +8.699 |
| Utilities | 95.823 | 75.313 | +20.510 |
| Other services | 98.947 | 97.250 | +1.697 |
| Real income per person (2017 $) | $56,232 | $52,290 | +$3,942 |
Two state tax mixes, FY2025
Ohio: $38.84 billion, $3,264 per resident. Kentucky: $17.34 billion, $3,763 per resident.
| Tax | OH share | KY share | OH per resident | KY per resident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual income | 28.3% | 27.7% | $923 | $1,044 |
| General sales | 42.6% | 33.6% | $1,389 | $1,264 |
| Property | not levied | 4.8% | — | $182 |
| Motor fuel | 7.1% | 4.8% | $231 | $182 |
| Other selective sales | 16.3% | 11.1% | $533 | $418 |
| Corporate income | 0.0% | 13.5% | $0 | $509 |
| Licenses | 5.6% | 3.3% | $183 | $126 |
| Severance | 0.2% | 0.5% | $5 | $20 |
| Other taxes | 0.0% | 0.5% | $0 | $19 |
Taxes on wages and purchases
| Tax | Ohio | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax | 2.75% above $26,050 for 2026 | Not summarised on this site; see the Kentucky Department of Revenue |
| State sales tax | 5.75% state rate plus up to 3% county and transit tax | 6%, with no local sales tax |
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