Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Ohio instead of Kentucky, you would:
Health
live 1.8 years longer
In Kentucky, the average life expectancy is 74 years (73 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2020. In Ohio, that number is 75 years (74 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2020.
Economy
make 21.0% more money
Kentucky has a GDP per capita of $50,135 as of 2024, while in Ohio, the GDP per capita is $60,669 as of 2024.
be 16.9% less likely to live below the poverty line
In Kentucky, 15.4% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Ohio, however, that number is 12.8% as of 2023.
be 14.3% more likely to be unemployed
In Kentucky, 3.5% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Ohio, that number is 4.0% as of 2025.
Safety
be 28.8% 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 Ohio, that number is 284 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
earn 11.6% more money
The median household income in Kentucky is $62,417 as of 2023, while in Ohio, it is $69,680 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
be 17.2% 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 Ohio, that number is 21.1% as of 2023.
live in an area that is 2.5 times more densely populated
Kentucky has a population density of 44.2 people per sq km as of 2023. In Ohio, that number is 111.5 people per sq km as of 2023.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: OECD Regional Demography, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
