Quality of life comparison
If you lived in New Mexico instead of Kentucky, you would:
Health
live 1.0 years longer
In Kentucky, the average life expectancy is 74 years (73 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2020. In New Mexico, that number is 74 years (74 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2020.
be 15.7% less likely to be obese
In Kentucky, 38.2% of adults are obese as of 2022. In New Mexico, that number is 32.2% of people as of 2022.
Economy
make 11.7% more money
Kentucky has a GDP per capita of $50,135 as of 2024, while in New Mexico, the GDP per capita is $56,008 as of 2024.
be 20.0% more likely to be unemployed
In Kentucky, 3.5% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In New Mexico, that number is 4.2% as of 2025.
be 14.9% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Kentucky, 15.4% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In New Mexico, however, that number is 17.7% as of 2023.
Safety
be 3.4 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 New Mexico, that number is 745 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 88.4% more likely to be a victim of property crime
Kentucky has a property crime rate of 1,525 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In New Mexico, that number is 2,872 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 20.7% more for a home
The median home value in Kentucky is $192,300 as of 2023, compared to $232,200 in New Mexico as of 2023.
Lifestyle
be 12.3% less likely to smoke
In Kentucky, 18.7% of adults smoke as of 2022. In New Mexico, that number is 16.4% as of 2022.
live in an area that is 84.6% less densely populated
Kentucky has a population density of 44.2 people per sq km as of 2023. In New Mexico, that number is 6.8 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 14.4% 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 New Mexico, that number is 20.6% as of 2023.
be 2.0 times more likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Kentucky, 2.5% of the population was born outside the US as of 2023. In New Mexico, that number is 5.1% as of 2023.
be 63.2% more likely to be uninsured
In Kentucky, 5.7% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In New Mexico, that number is 9.3% 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.
