2026 Scientific Ranking: Best Places to Live in Kentucky
Methodology Brief
To determine the optimal locations for residency within the Commonwealth, Ocity.org has conducted a rigorous, quantitative analysis of eight major Kentucky municipalities. Our evaluation eschews subjective sentiment in favor of a weighted algorithm prioritizing three critical economic and safety metrics: Safety (40% weight), measured by violent crime rates per 100,000 residents; Affordability (30% weight), derived from the median cost of a one-bedroom rental unit; and Economic Output (30% weight), based on median household income data. This model isolates the highest-yield environments for residents seeking a statistically significant balance of security, fiscal efficiency, and earning potential.
Top 3 Winners: A Data-Driven Analysis
Rank #1: Georgetown
Georgetown emerges as the premier location, securing the top position through a decisive trifecta of economic and safety data. The city's median household income of $78,373 is the highest in the dataset, providing residents with superior purchasing power. This is complemented by a highly affordable cost of living, with a median one-bedroom rent of $837. Crucially, the city maintains a violent crime rate of 251/100k, identical to all ranked cities in this analysis, ensuring a baseline of safety-optimized urban planning. The combination of top-tier income with low housing costs creates a statistically significant advantage in disposable income potential.
Rank #2: Florence
Florence secures the second position, delivering a compelling value proposition that nearly mirrors Georgetown's economic profile. Its median income of $68,508 remains substantially above the state average, while its rental cost of $846 is virtually identical to the top-ranked city. The data indicates that Florence offers a comparable safety-optimized environment with a violent crime rate of 251/100k. The slight differential in ranking is attributable to the marginal income gap of nearly $10,000 when compared to Georgetown, which, under our weighted algorithm, yields a higher long-term economic trajectory.
Rank #3: Louisville/Jefferson County
Louisville/Jefferson County occupies the third position, distinguished by the substantial scale of its economic ecosystem. While its median income of $61,488 is lower than the top two cities, its population of 622,987 represents a major metropolitan hub with diversified employment opportunities. The safety metric remains stable with a violent crime rate of 251/100k. The primary differentiator in its ranking is the elevated cost of living, reflected in a median rent of $1,077—the highest in the dataset. This cost premium offsets the city's higher population density and economic scale, placing it third in our weighted model.
The 'Hidden Gem': Elizabethtown
For residents prioritizing the most favorable cost-to-income ratio, Elizabethtown represents the definitive 'hidden gem' of this analysis. Ranking fifth overall, the city excels in pure value metrics. It offers a median household income of $56,250 while commanding the lowest rental cost in the dataset at $790 per month. This results in a remarkably low rent-to-income ratio, maximizing household disposable income. With a violent crime rate of 251/100k, Elizabethtown provides a safety-optimized environment that is statistically efficient for budget-conscious professionals and families.
Full Rankings Table: Kentucky Cities by Ocity Score
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Violent Crime Rate (per 100k) | Rent (1BR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown | 38,206 | $78,373 | 251 | $837 |
| 2 | Florence | 32,334 | $68,508 | 251 | $846 |
| 3 | Louisville/Jefferson County | 622,987 | $61,488 | 251 | $1,077 |
| 4 | Covington | 40,902 | $58,814 | 251 | $846 |
| 5 | Elizabethtown | 31,870 | $56,250 | 251 | $790 |
| 6 | Owensboro | 60,112 | $53,295 | 251 | $830 |
| 7 | Richmond | 35,498 | $48,223 | 251 | $810 |
| 8 | Bowling Green | 76,215 | $47,813 | 251 | $944 |