Ohio vs Kentucky
On a $100,000 income and each state’s median home, Kentucky costs about $938 less per year in state income and property tax combined.
Where the gap is widest
The largest difference between Ohio and Kentucky is property tax on median home ($3,427 vs $1,739).
- Property tax on median home: Kentucky is lower ($3,427 vs $1,739)
- Effective property tax: Kentucky is lower (1.36% vs 0.74%)
- Minimum wage: Kentucky is lower ($11.00 vs $7.25)
- Avg home insurance: Ohio is lower ($1,116 vs $1,525)
- Income tax on $100k: Ohio is lower ($2,750 vs $3,500)
Side by side
| Measure | Ohio | Kentucky | Which is higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property tax on median home | $3,427 | $1,739 | OH higher |
| Effective property tax | 1.36% | 0.74% | OH higher |
| Minimum wage | $11.00 | $7.25 | OH higher |
| Avg home insurance | $1,116 | $1,525 | KY higher |
| Income tax on $100k | $2,750 | $3,500 | KY higher |
| Top income tax rate | 2.75% | 3.50% | KY higher |
| Max weekly unemployment | $842 | $720 | OH higher |
| Median household income | $72,212 | $64,526 | OH higher |
| Median 2BR rent | $1,238 | $1,125 | OH higher |
| Median home price | $252,000 | $235,000 | OH higher |
| State sales tax | 5.75% | 6.00% | KY higher |
| Cost of living index | 93.7 | 92.5 | OH higher |
State income tax by income level
| Income | Ohio | Kentucky | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $825 | $1,050 | $225 |
| $40,000 | $1,100 | $1,400 | $300 |
| $50,000 | $1,375 | $1,750 | $375 |
| $60,000 | $1,650 | $2,100 | $450 |
| $75,000 | $2,063 | $2,625 | $563 |
| $90,000 | $2,475 | $3,150 | $675 |
| $100,000 | $2,750 | $3,500 | $750 |
| $125,000 | $3,438 | $4,375 | $938 |
| $150,000 | $4,125 | $5,250 | $1,125 |
| $175,000 | $4,813 | $6,125 | $1,313 |
| $200,000 | $5,500 | $7,000 | $1,500 |
| $250,000 | $6,875 | $8,750 | $1,875 |
| $300,000 | $8,250 | $10,500 | $2,250 |
| $400,000 | $11,000 | $14,000 | $3,000 |
| $500,000 | $13,750 | $17,500 | $3,750 |
Property tax by home value
| Home value | Ohio | Kentucky | Annual gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $2,040 | $1,110 | $930 |
| $200,000 | $2,720 | $1,480 | $1,240 |
| $250,000 | $3,400 | $1,850 | $1,550 |
| $300,000 | $4,080 | $2,220 | $1,860 |
| $400,000 | $5,440 | $2,960 | $2,480 |
| $500,000 | $6,800 | $3,700 | $3,100 |
| $600,000 | $8,160 | $4,440 | $3,720 |
| $750,000 | $10,200 | $5,550 | $4,650 |
| $900,000 | $12,240 | $6,660 | $5,580 |
| $1,200,000 | $16,320 | $8,880 | $7,440 |
Cumulative difference over time
| Period | Total difference | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $938 | Kentucky ahead |
| 2 years | $1,876 | Kentucky ahead |
| 3 years | $2,815 | Kentucky ahead |
| 5 years | $4,691 | Kentucky ahead |
| 10 years | $9,382 | Kentucky ahead |
Income tax figures apply each state’s top marginal rate as a simplification and exclude federal tax, local surtaxes and deductions. Property tax uses each state’s effective rate on its own median home. Sources.
Last reviewed 2026-08-26.