This Has Been Named the Most Expensive City in Kentucky and It Might Surprise You

It's fun to take a road trip to Louisville or Lexington and make the decision not to worry about costs. "Splurge getaways" (my term) are necessary from time to time, in my opinion. Kentucky's two largest cities offer no shortage of opportunities to do just that--SPLURGE on shopping, events, meals...whatever. You can worry about real life when you get home.

Now, here's a question? Do you believe that either of those is the most expensive city in which to live in the Commonwealth? If you do, you will get that answer wrong on the test.

Cost of Living in Kentucky

When it comes to the affordability of living in the Bluegrass State, you are much better off here than many other places. According to Rent Cafe, Kentucky's cost of living is 7% lower than the national average. The following factors brought the website to its conclusion:

So, on the whole, you're doing fine. But when you break it down, city by city, the results might surprise you. As it turns out, the most expensive Kentucky city in which to live is just the Commonwealth's 20th largest.

Madisonville -- Kentucky's Priciest City

Using the most recent data from The Cost of Living Index--published in March of 2024--Rent Cafe shows that Madisonville's is 12% higher than the state average and 4% higher than the national average.

The index updates bi-annually, so you every right to expect better news with the next publication. But the fact that this city of just under 20,000 came in so high at all made me do a double take. I'm probably not alone.