Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Michigan instead of Kentucky, you would:
Health
live 2.5 years longer
In Kentucky, the average life expectancy is 74 years (73 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2020. In Michigan, that number is 76 years (76 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2020.
be 16.0% less likely to have diabetes
In Kentucky, 11.9% of adults have diabetes as of 2022. In Michigan, that number is 10.0% as of 2022.
Economy
make 10.7% more money
Kentucky has a GDP per capita of $50,135 as of 2024, while in Michigan, the GDP per capita is $55,508 as of 2024.
be 17.5% less likely to live below the poverty line
In Kentucky, 15.4% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Michigan, however, that number is 12.7% as of 2023.
be 37.1% more likely to be unemployed
In Kentucky, 3.5% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Michigan, that number is 4.8% as of 2025.
Safety
be 2.1 times more likely to be a victim of violent crime
Kentucky has a violent crime rate of 220 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Michigan, that number is 453 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
earn 14.0% more money
The median household income in Kentucky is $62,417 as of 2023, while in Michigan, it is $71,149 as of 2023.
pay 13.2% more for a home
The median home value in Kentucky is $192,300 as of 2023, compared to $217,600 in Michigan as of 2023.
pay 16.2% more in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Kentucky is $933 as of 2023, while in Michigan, it is $1,084 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
be 14.0% less likely to be uninsured
In Kentucky, 5.7% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In Michigan, that number is 4.9% as of 2023.
be 21.7% more likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Kentucky, 18.0% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2023. In Michigan, that number is 21.9% as of 2023.
be 24.0% more likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Kentucky, 2.5% of the population was born outside the US as of 2023. In Michigan, that number is 3.1% as of 2023.
live in an area that is 55.0% more densely populated
Kentucky has a population density of 44.2 people per sq km as of 2023. In Michigan, that number is 68.5 people per sq km as of 2023.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: OECD Regional Demography, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
