Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Kentucky instead of Wisconsin, you would:
Health
live 4.2 years less
In Wisconsin, the average life expectancy is 78 years (77 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020. In Kentucky, that number is 74 years (73 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2020.
be 29.3% more likely to have diabetes
In Wisconsin, 9.2% of adults have diabetes as of 2022. In Kentucky, that number is 11.9% as of 2022.
Economy
make 15.5% less money
Wisconsin has a GDP per capita of $59,333 as of 2024, while in Kentucky, the GDP per capita is $50,135 as of 2024.
be 16.7% more likely to be unemployed
In Wisconsin, 3.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Kentucky, that number is 3.5% as of 2025.
be 51.0% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Wisconsin, 10.2% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Kentucky, however, that number is 15.4% as of 2023.
Safety
be 22.8% less likely to be a victim of violent crime
Wisconsin has a violent crime rate of 286 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Kentucky, that number is 220 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 26.6% more likely to be a victim of property crime
Wisconsin has a property crime rate of 1,204 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Kentucky, that number is 1,525 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 22.3% less for a home
The median home value in Wisconsin is $247,400 as of 2023, compared to $192,300 in Kentucky as of 2023.
pay 10.7% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Wisconsin is $1,045 as of 2023, while in Kentucky, it is $933 as of 2023.
earn 17.5% less money
The median household income in Wisconsin is $75,670 as of 2023, while in Kentucky, it is $62,417 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
commute 1.8 minutes longer
The average one-way commute in Wisconsin takes 22.2 minutes as of 2023. In Kentucky, it takes 24.0 minutes as of 2023.
be 16.1% more likely to smoke
In Wisconsin, 16.1% of adults smoke as of 2022. In Kentucky, that number is 18.7% as of 2022.
be 20.0% more likely to be physically inactive
In Wisconsin, 21.5% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In Kentucky, that number is 25.8% as of 2022.
be 19.3% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Wisconsin, 22.3% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2023. In Kentucky, that number is 18.0% as of 2023.
be 75.0% more likely to be food insecure
In Wisconsin, 7.2% of the population is food insecure as of 2021. In Kentucky, that number is 12.6% as of 2021.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: Feeding America, 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.
