Cost of living comparison
Kentucky is 4.3% cheaper than Iowa.
- Restaurants
-
pay 1.6% less in Kentucky
- Groceries
-
pay 9.6% less in Kentucky
- Transportation
-
pay 1.9% less in Kentucky
- Housing
-
pay 3.1% more in Kentucky
- Childcare
-
pay 0.3% more in Kentucky
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 17.9% less in Kentucky
- Clothing
-
pay 2.2% less in Kentucky
The cost of housing and childcare in Kentucky are more expensive than in Iowa. Expenses including entertainment and sports, groceries, clothing, transportation, and restaurants are lower in Kentucky.
If you lived in Kentucky instead of Iowa, you would:
pay 1.6% less for restaurants
|
Iowa
|
Kentucky
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$15.50
|
$14.77
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$9.86
|
$9.25
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.25
|
$2.21
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$1.61
|
$1.70
|
|
pay 9.6% less for groceries
|
Iowa
|
Kentucky
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.75
|
$2.61
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$5.26
|
$5.61
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.55
|
$2.62
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$2.97
|
$2.66
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$4.90
|
$4.47
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.27
|
$2.21
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.66
|
$0.70
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.31
|
$1.29
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.19
|
$2.11
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.17
|
$1.07
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.32
|
$1.20
|
|
pay 1.9% less for transportation
|
Iowa
|
Kentucky
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.26
|
$3.16
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$41.60
|
$32.50
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$28,209.92
|
$34,634.71
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$15.53
|
$14.69
|
|
pay 3.1% more for housing
|
Iowa
|
Kentucky
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$68.83
|
$62.62
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,149.79
|
$1,162.24
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$848.38
|
$976.78
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$132.52
|
$139.55
|
|
pay 0.3% more for childcare
|
Iowa
|
Kentucky
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,043.98
|
$1,272.49
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$19,039.50
|
$14,996.29
|
|
pay 17.9% less for entertainment and sports
|
Iowa
|
Kentucky
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$4.95
|
$4.57
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.14
|
$4.73
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$8.68
|
$7.75
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$61.12
|
$29.83
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$12.83
|
$11.25
|
|
pay 2.2% less for clothing
|
Iowa
|
Kentucky
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$50.44
|
$45.19
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$39.50
|
$42.32
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$83.35
|
$86.51
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$105.02
|
$95.35
|
|
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