| Index | Bardstown | Kentucky | National |
| Cost of living | 90 | 88 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 75 | 70 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 94 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Bardstown? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Bardstown stands at 90, making it 10% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Bardstown is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 8 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Bardstown. The feedback revealed that 38% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 63% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Bardstown an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Bardstown, the median home price is 26.3% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 21% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Bardstown come in at $79,417, which is 2.4% lower than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Bardstown, the housing index stands at 24.7% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Bardstown, the healthcare costs are 3.2% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Bardstown shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $94,603 | $7,884 | $2,207 | $2,838 |
| Renters | $55,342 | $4,612 | $1,291 | $1,660 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Kentucky | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Kentucky | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| New Hope, KY | 64 | 97 | 3.0% |
| Fairfield, KY | 191 | 79 | 21.3% |
| Loretto, KY | 743 | 85 | 14.7% |
| Springfield, KY | 3,048 | 87 | 12.7% |
| Lebanon Junction, KY | 2,367 | 88 | 12.4% |
| Bardstown, KY | 13,551 | 90 | 9.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Verona, WI | 13,552 | 117 | 17.0% |
| Bécancour, QC | 13,552 | n/a | |
| Central Elgin, ON | 13,549 | n/a | |
| Coatesville, PA | 13,546 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Bedford, IN | 13,557 | 87 | 12.8% |
| Bardstown, KY | 13,551 | 90 | 9.5% |
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