Where are the best places in Kentucky?
They are the places that have excellent economies. They’re also the places with the best jobs, near the Kentucky Derby and where the sun shines the most. And indeed, since crime is low, it’s all sunshine and rainbows in the best places in Kentucky.
How did we identify the best places to live in Kentucky? We compared the 77 most populated cities in the Bluegrass State based on data from the FBI, Census, and Zillow using Saturday Night Science. Turns out that the suburbs of Cincinnati and Louisville have more to offer than most.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Map | Methodology | Summary
The 10 Best Places To Live In Kentucky For 2024
What city is the best place to live in Kentucky for 2024? According to the US Census, Zillow, and FBI data, Edgewood is the best place to live in Kentucky if you care about good education, low crime, and high quality of life.
But as most Kentuckians would agree, almost every place in the Bluegrass State is incredible.
For more reading, check out:
The 10 Best Places To Live In Kentucky For 2024
| Stat | Edgewood | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,447 | 4,502,935 |
| Rank Last Year | 1 | – |
| Median Home Value | $335,091 | $197,457 |
| Median Income | $117,308 | $60,183 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0053 | 0.0203 |
More on Edgewood: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
What’s new and exciting in Edgewood? Funny you should ask: this city has the 8th best home price and the 3rd best unemployment rate making it the best place to live in The Bluegrass State.
But, don’t get it confused–you will need to make at least $117,308/year to afford the median home price of $335,091 and the overall higher cost of living in this small town of 8,447 residents.
And if you don’t have a job yet, don’t fret: you’ll be amongst people who know the value of work and it shows with the city’s 1.5% unemployment rate and a poverty rate well below the national average at 3.0%. They really do look out for each other in this little corner of Kenton County. The crime rate here is over 70% below the national average making it one of the safest cities in Kentucky. Simply put, folks, there were only 67 crimes committed at the time of this report, and 90% of them were property related.
| Stat | Fort Thomas | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,310 | 4,502,935 |
| Rank Last Year | 2 | – |
| Median Home Value | $316,890 | $197,457 |
| Median Income | $95,391 | $60,183 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0055 | 0.0203 |
More on Fort Thomas: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
If you’re looking to live in Kentucky, there’s no better time than the present and there’s no better place than the state’s 2nd best place to live, Fort Thomas. In a nutshell, this is because there are a bunch of hard-working Kentuckians in Fort Thomas. The unemployment rate here is the 2nd lowest in the state at 3.8%. Needless to say, we were not surprised to find that this city is one of the richest cities in the state as well.
Located along the Ohio River along the Ohio River just over the bridge from Cincinnati, Fort Thomas is a city of rich history that will accommodate every stage of life–great schools and safe parks for kids, multiple distilleries and breweries for parents after the kids are put to bed.
If you’re a young professional, a href=”https://www.newportonthelevee.com/”>Newport on the Levee in downtown Fort Thomas has cool co-working spaces and electric night-life, and if you’re ready to retire, the cost of living here will allow you to stretch your retirement budget much further.
| Stat | Villa Hills | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,331 | 4,502,935 |
| Rank Last Year | 6 | – |
| Median Home Value | $341,685 | $197,457 |
| Median Income | $109,196 | $60,183 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0079 | 0.0203 |
More on Villa Hills: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Villa Hills: some call it The South’s Wonderland, we call it Kentucky’s 3rd best place to live for 2024.
Villa Hills is the second Ohio River city to grace our list and it just so happens that it has the second highest SnackAbility score as well. Yes, Villa Hills scored a 9.5/10 for high marks in overall cost of living, safety, and education. You know what’s even better than that–if you make the city’s household median income of $109,196/year, you can score a sweet real estate deal considering Villa Hills has the 7th at $341,685.
A competitive median income to complement the city’s cost of living only means that you’ll have the extra cash to take your kids out to celebrate the report cards they get from some of the best schools in the state.
You’ll also have the funds to enjoy the fun things that people who have life figured out in Villa Hills like to do: for example, biking around Embshoff Woods or spending an entire day getting your hat “Pinterest ready” for the annual Kentucky Derby.
| Stat | Fort Mitchell | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,667 | 4,502,935 |
| Rank Last Year | 3 | – |
| Median Home Value | $369,881 | $197,457 |
| Median Income | $74,830 | $60,183 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.6% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0087 | 0.0203 |
More on Fort Mitchell: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Hey y’all, raise a cheer for the 4th best place to live in Kentucky, Fort Mitchell.
The second “Fort” to make our list, Fort Mitchell should be re-named Fort Knox 2.0 as it’s super safe–one of the safest places in the state. To put this in perspective, the crime rate here is close to 70% below the national average.
But if you know anything about this Northern Kentucky Goldenrod, it’s the good ‘ol fashioned southern hospitality of the 8,667 residents that live in this small town that draws people to this place, and it’s the town’s overall cost of living that makes them stay. And while it might be slightly higher than the state and national average, the excess has funded great schools and great communities. So, while you might have to pay the 3rd highest home median price in the state ($369,881), know that you are funding the city’s future.
| Stat | Fort Wright | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,841 | 4,502,935 |
| Rank Last Year | 4 | – |
| Median Home Value | $306,662 | $197,457 |
| Median Income | $105,075 | $60,183 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0068 | 0.0203 |
More on Fort Wright: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
There are currently 5,841 Kentucky residents that are living their best life where Route 1072 meets Route 17 in the 5th best place to live in the Bluegrass State, Fort Wright.
How and why are things easy peasy in Fort Wright? Well, for one they have the 12th in the state at 2.7%. The SnackAbility indicators that stood out in this small town in Kenton County at the time of our report were affordability, safety, and education. But, you will need to make at least $105,075/year to pay the $306,662 price tag for a home.
However, when we brokedown Fort Wright’s cost of living, we found that you will pay much less for your utilities compared to the state average–so, you can rest easy every time you take that 20 minute shower. We also discovered that you will feel comfortable and confident in your surroundings as the cost of living in Fort Wright is well below the state and national average–there were only 39 crimes reported here.
| Stat | Wilmore | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,017 | 4,502,935 |
| Rank Last Year | 8 | – |
| Median Home Value | $271,874 | $197,457 |
| Median Income | $59,848 | $60,183 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.1% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0066 | 0.0203 |
More on Wilmore: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
If you are looking for “more,” you will definitely find “more” in Kentucky’s 6th best place to live, Wil-More.
Yep, the “Kindest town in Kentucky the United States” has it goin’ on! It scored one of the top five highest SnackAbility scores on our list with an emphasis on safety, education, amenities, and commute times. Not to mention, Wilmore’s low cost of living has made it one of the fastest growing cities in the state, and Kentucky’s youngsters are starting to take notice. Wilmore has the youngest population at 29 and we’re wondering why this city of 6,017 residents in Jessamine County is not one of the best places for singles in the state?
But, sometimes “less” is “more,” especially when it comes to crime. And, folks, Wilmore is safe. We’re not saying leave your front doors unlocked, but if you choose to buy your forever home here, just know that the town’s crime rate crime rate is one of the lowest in the state. In fact, there were only 60 crimes committed here last year and most of them were property related.
| Stat | Bellevue | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,596 | 4,502,935 |
| Rank Last Year | 5 | – |
| Median Home Value | $215,115 | $197,457 |
| Median Income | $66,741 | $60,183 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0127 | 0.0203 |
More on Bellevue: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Welcome to the big dance, Bellevue. We knew it wouldn’t be long before you joined the ranks of the rest of Kentucky’s best places to live. Up ten spots from last year, Bellevue has recently racked up accolades for being the 7th best place to live in Kentucky as well as one of the most affordable in terms of cost of living.
You can get a home in Bellevue for $215,115 making it one of the cheapest places to live in Kentucky. However, the residents here are some of the highest earning Kentuckians in the state with the household median income at $66,741/year. So, we were not at all surprised to find that Bellevue is one of the richest places in the state as well.
The third leg to this Triple Crown is Bellevue’s low crime rate. In fact, when we pulled Bellevue’s numbers, there were only 70 crimes recorded and most of them were property related.
| Stat | Cold Spring | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,258 | 4,502,935 |
| Rank Last Year | 7 | – |
| Median Home Value | $256,036 | $197,457 |
| Median Income | $76,151 | $60,183 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0118 | 0.0203 |
More on Cold Spring: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Get ready to roll out the red carpet Cold Spring–you are Kentucky’s 8th best place to live.
Cold Spring takes the old phrase “stick with what you know–stick with what you’re good at” and upped the ante. Basically, if you want to play in the big leagues, you’re going to have to have the SnackAbility scores like Cold Spring.
Cold Springs may have dropped a rank on our list, but they are first in the hearts of its 6,258 residents for many reasons. And those reasons are the following: the city’s unemployment rate is the 8th best in the state at 2.5%. The cost of living in Cold Spring is also super affordable. (You’ll be happy to know that groceries and utilities are less expensive in Cold Spring than the state and national average combined.)
However, if you choose to buy a home here instead of renting first, get ready to pay the 25th highest home price in the state at $256,036. But, the best thing about Cold Spring is that it is super safe. In fact, the crime rate here is quite a bit lower than the state and national average.
| Stat | St. Matthews | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,511 | 4,502,935 |
| Rank Last Year | 15 | – |
| Median Home Value | $342,929 | $197,457 |
| Median Income | $78,928 | $60,183 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0479 | 0.0203 |
More on St. Matthews: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
St. Matthews ranks as the 9th best place to live in Kentucky. St. Matthews is an eastern suburb of Louisville at the intersection of I-64 and I-264 — a pretty great location for a pretty great town.
Housing is 6th highest in the state, which means that a ton of people want to live here. And you can see that people are willing to pay for a piece of real estate as incomes are 15th highest in the state too. St. Matthews is part of the Jefferson County Public School System, which has the number 1 ranked high school in Kentucky according to Niche in DuPont Manual High School. Add to that a low crime rate, and you have a perennial contender for best place to live in Kentucky.
The Brown Park is gorgeous, with a stream to feed ducks and geese, and a great playground. And Plehn’s Bakery has some of the best donuts in the area along with butter kuchen. There’s also plenty of shopping around at the Mall St. Matthews.
| Stat | Erlanger | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,577 | 4,502,935 |
| Rank Last Year | 11 | – |
| Median Home Value | $217,776 | $197,457 |
| Median Income | $74,147 | $60,183 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0042 | 0.0203 |
More on Erlanger: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Erlanger, part of the Cincinnati-Middletown Metro Area, has an attractive $217,776 median home value against a median income of 74,147.
Economic resilience is evident in Erlanger’s low 4.5% unemployment rate, ranking it 36th lowest statewide, partly thanks to major employers like Toyota Boshoku America and the United States Playing Card Company. Combining job prospects, cost-effectiveness, and strategic positioning, Erlanger is recognized as one of the best places to live in the Bluegrass State.
Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in Kentucky
Best Places To Live In Kentucky Size Requirement
Before we even started to collect data on the best places to live in Kentucky, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit Frankfort, with a population of 28,460, against places with a population of 18?
We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.
So, to create our ranking, we broke the best places to live into three tiers:
- Cities — Populations over 5,000
- Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 5,000
- Small Towns — Populations below 1,000
This filter left 77 cities, 156 towns, and 250 small towns.
We then decided no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best cities to live in Kentucky have more of everything, and therefore, you need over 5,000 people to truly be ‘the best.’
Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Kentucky
Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.
We ranked each place in Kentucky across a number of criteria from one to 77, with one being the best.
We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In Kentucky.”
The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:
- Median Home Values
- Median Income
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Unemployment Rate
- Commute Time
- Crime
- Education Levels
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Poverty rates
Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking Kentucky’s best places to live.
If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Kentucky. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Edgewood at the end of the cul-de-sac.
Summary: The Best Places In Kentucky
If you’re looking at areas in Kentucky with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.
The best places to live in Kentucky are Edgewood, Fort Thomas, Villa Hills, Fort Mitchell, Fort Wright, Wilmore, Bellevue, Cold Spring, St. Matthews, and Erlanger.
Edgewood made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in Kentucky for 2024.
If you’re curious enough, here are the worst places to live in Kentucky according to the data:
- Oak Grove (Pop. 7,895)
- Hopkinsville (Pop. 31,042)
- Somerset (Pop. 11,998)
For more Kentucky reading, check out:
- Cheapest Places To Live In Kentucky
- Most Dangerous Cities In Kentucky
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Kentucky
- Best Places To Retire In Kentucky
- Richest Cities In Kentucky
- Safest Places In Kentucky
- Worst Places To Live In Kentucky
Best Places To Live In Kentucky Table
| Rank | City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value | Median Income | Rent | Crime Per Capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edgewood | 8,447 | 1.5% | $335,091 | $117,308 | $1,147 | 0.0053 |
| 2 | Fort Thomas | 17,310 | 3.8% | $316,890 | $95,391 | $1,025 | 0.0055 |
| 3 | Villa Hills | 7,331 | 3.0% | $341,685 | $109,196 | $1,122 | 0.0079 |
| 4 | Fort Mitchell | 8,667 | 1.6% | $369,881 | $74,830 | $924 | 0.0087 |
| 5 | Fort Wright | 5,841 | 2.7% | $306,662 | $105,075 | $1,058 | 0.0068 |
| 6 | Wilmore | 6,017 | 2.1% | $271,874 | $59,848 | $857 | 0.0066 |
| 7 | Bellevue | 5,596 | 1.5% | $215,115 | $66,741 | $952 | 0.0127 |
| 8 | Cold Spring | 6,258 | 2.5% | $256,036 | $76,151 | $1,124 | 0.0118 |
| 9 | St. Matthews | 17,511 | 3.7% | $342,929 | $78,928 | $1,198 | 0.0479 |
| 10 | Erlanger | 19,577 | 4.5% | $217,776 | $74,147 | $959 | 0.0042 |
| 11 | Mount Washington | 17,987 | 4.7% | $286,136 | $91,185 | $834 | 0.0064 |
| 12 | Independence | 28,722 | 3.6% | $283,892 | $92,355 | $1,183 | 0.0044 |
| 13 | Georgetown | 37,510 | 3.6% | $291,754 | $74,530 | $1,106 | 0.0154 |
| 14 | Union | 7,369 | 0.8% | $399,302 | $131,047 | $1,705 | 0.0442 |
| 15 | Taylor Mill | 6,851 | 4.5% | $245,188 | $79,781 | $1,094 | 0.0028 |
| 16 | Douglass Hills | 5,466 | 7.1% | $354,085 | $90,760 | $1,179 | 0.0479 |
| 17 | Alexandria | 10,322 | 2.7% | $279,406 | $100,938 | $1,033 | 0.0141 |
| 18 | Jeffersontown | 28,796 | 4.5% | $251,563 | $78,929 | $1,175 | 0.0262 |
| 19 | Middletown | 9,594 | 5.6% | $319,167 | $81,881 | $1,422 | 0.0320 |
| 20 | Lyndon | 10,997 | 4.0% | $281,572 | $63,806 | $1,159 | 0.0253 |
| 21 | Vine Grove | 6,611 | 4.2% | $237,941 | $74,035 | $1,293 | 0.0061 |
| 22 | Highland Heights | 6,566 | 3.0% | $186,185 | $44,910 | $1,016 | 0.0110 |
| 23 | Elsmere | 9,126 | 5.8% | $198,526 | $61,890 | $1,263 | 0.0129 |
| 24 | Crestwood | 6,175 | 5.0% | $424,893 | $110,147 | $1,093 | 0.0151 |
| 25 | Lawrenceburg | 11,749 | 5.9% | $223,391 | $58,935 | $849 | 0.0062 |
| 26 | Florence | 32,056 | 2.8% | $257,002 | $67,352 | $1,118 | 0.0442 |
| 27 | Versailles | 10,297 | 2.9% | $307,956 | $55,606 | $935 | 0.0258 |
| 28 | Dayton | 5,674 | 5.3% | $173,888 | $61,432 | $937 | 0.0100 |
| 29 | Harrodsburg | 9,057 | 3.2% | $196,771 | $49,293 | $707 | 0.0109 |
| 30 | La Grange | 10,073 | 4.7% | $357,217 | $72,265 | $1,138 | 0.0151 |
| 31 | Flatwoods | 7,312 | 4.8% | $123,058 | $58,294 | $922 | 0.0049 |
| 32 | Shelbyville | 17,239 | 2.9% | $271,621 | $74,433 | $947 | 0.0131 |
| 33 | Walton | 5,492 | 1.6% | $303,985 | $79,811 | $978 | 0.0442 |
| 34 | Elizabethtown | 31,425 | 5.8% | $230,510 | $54,493 | $847 | 0.0105 |
| 35 | Cynthiana | 6,355 | 2.1% | $180,289 | $46,601 | $657 | 0.0104 |
| 36 | Shepherdsville | 14,136 | 3.6% | $228,290 | $71,875 | $878 | 0.0190 |
| 37 | Nicholasville | 31,352 | 5.2% | $277,506 | $61,832 | $980 | 0.0188 |
| 38 | Frankfort | 28,460 | 5.4% | $209,529 | $53,905 | $889 | 0.0217 |
| 39 | Danville | 17,191 | 8.2% | $219,456 | $48,038 | $765 | 0.0149 |
| 40 | Campbellsville | 11,434 | 8.1% | $178,765 | $53,254 | $655 | 0.0168 |
| 41 | Bardstown | 13,564 | 3.4% | $232,877 | $47,654 | $850 | 0.0183 |
| 42 | Madisonville | 19,433 | 9.3% | $143,015 | $54,234 | $854 | 0.0101 |
| 43 | Paris | 10,143 | 5.9% | $217,396 | $46,752 | $739 | 0.0128 |
| 44 | Owensboro | 60,019 | 4.2% | $186,902 | $51,982 | $888 | 0.0382 |
| 45 | Berea | 15,404 | 2.4% | $216,269 | $54,481 | $779 | 0.0138 |
| 46 | Henderson | 28,166 | 3.3% | $176,516 | $46,276 | $762 | 0.0223 |
| 47 | Hillview | 8,681 | 3.9% | $196,339 | $63,578 | $1,321 | 0.0165 |
| 48 | Hazard | 5,194 | 11.2% | $92,026 | $65,846 | $714 | 0.0106 |
| 49 | Murray | 17,414 | 5.1% | $163,997 | $37,421 | $762 | 0.0179 |
| 50 | Winchester | 19,080 | 5.6% | $224,257 | $50,982 | $832 | 0.0355 |
| 51 | Radcliff | 22,981 | 9.1% | $191,577 | $54,558 | $897 | 0.0242 |
| 52 | Paducah | 26,869 | 3.8% | $163,883 | $46,984 | $815 | 0.0320 |
| 53 | London | 7,612 | 1.4% | $166,838 | $45,858 | $738 | 0.0440 |
| 54 | Franklin | 10,141 | 5.2% | $223,713 | $54,784 | $984 | 0.0289 |
| 55 | Middlesborough | 9,383 | 8.8% | $97,055 | $35,798 | $623 | 0.0117 |
| 56 | Lebanon | 6,274 | 8.6% | $185,248 | $37,500 | $634 | 0.0137 |
| 57 | Mount Sterling | 7,532 | 5.7% | $184,088 | $47,408 | $612 | 0.0321 |
| 58 | Ashland | 21,542 | 8.4% | $104,334 | $51,250 | $793 | 0.0263 |
| 59 | Richmond | 34,883 | 7.3% | $259,818 | $45,457 | $832 | 0.0243 |
| 60 | Newport | 14,190 | 6.1% | $198,174 | $50,278 | $842 | 0.0323 |
| 61 | Russellville | 7,186 | 9.2% | $181,096 | $45,484 | $679 | 0.0281 |
| 62 | Morehead | 7,001 | 5.2% | $150,504 | $32,020 | $739 | 0.0203 |
| 63 | Shively | 15,595 | 5.7% | $148,818 | $45,953 | $824 | 0.0355 |
| 64 | Mayfield | 10,011 | 5.3% | $130,153 | $42,589 | $582 | 0.0251 |
| 65 | Monticello | 5,770 | 4.2% | $136,290 | $43,353 | $739 | 0.0139 |
| 66 | Glasgow | 15,043 | 5.1% | $183,709 | $44,125 | $797 | 0.0208 |
| 67 | Covington | 40,923 | 6.1% | $181,857 | $53,770 | $877 | 0.0201 |
| 68 | Pikeville | 7,563 | 4.1% | $82,759 | $41,324 | $832 | 0.0235 |
| 69 | Bowling Green | 72,385 | 5.6% | $265,897 | $47,118 | $931 | 0.0422 |
| 70 | Maysville | 8,831 | 4.8% | $131,500 | $41,171 | $690 | 0.0237 |
| 71 | Corbin | 8,611 | 4.6% | $155,672 | $52,929 | $699 | 0.0209 |
| 72 | Princeton | 6,248 | 3.8% | $115,834 | $46,317 | $695 | 0.0165 |
| 73 | Leitchfield | 6,432 | 4.1% | $171,337 | $43,214 | $605 | 0.0188 |
| 74 | Williamsburg | 5,229 | 12.1% | $88,110 | $33,875 | $660 | 0.0105 |
| 75 | Oak Grove | 7,895 | 12.2% | $187,947 | $40,740 | $1,059 | 0.0305 |
| 76 | Hopkinsville | 31,042 | 7.8% | $170,550 | $43,577 | $857 | 0.0401 |
| 77 | Somerset | 11,998 | 8.7% | $181,592 | $33,245 | $812 | 0.0213 |