A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
25%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Bardstown Kentucky National
Cost of living9290100
Goods & Services101101100
Groceries101101100
Health care8484100
Housing7570100
Transportation9292100
Utilities104104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Bardstown, KY

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Bardstown is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Bardstown is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Bardstown are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Bardstown can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Bardstown?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 8 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Bardstown. The results indicated that 38% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 63% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Bardstown Affordable?

Wondering if Bardstown is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Bardstown, for example, the median home price is 27.5% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 18.9% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Bardstown boasting a median household income of $52,604, which is 4.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bardstown?

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Bardstown, the groceries index is 1.3% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Bardstown, healthcare costs are 16.3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Bardstown cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Bardstown is 2% higher than the Kentucky average
  • The cost of living in Bardstown is 8% lower than the national average
  • Bardstown housing is 25% lower than the national average
  • Kentucky general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Kentucky state income tax is 73% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Bardstown

See all the best places to live around Bardstown

Compare Bardstown, KY Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$63,557$5,296$1,483$1,907
      Renters$36,698$3,058$856$1,101
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Bardstown, KY, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Bardstown have a median income of $63,557. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,483 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $36,698, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $856.

      Kentucky Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Kentucky 6% 6%

      Kentucky Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Kentucky 4.5% 4.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Bardstown National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.50$24.269.2%
      Beauty Salon $53.07$45.5616.5%
      Toothpaste $3.50$3.705.6%
      Shampoo $1.21$1.285.3%
      Movie $13.05$12.137.6%
      Bowling $21.91$18.0021.7%

      Groceries

      Item Bardstown National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.07$5.844.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.0%
      Milk $4.72$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $5.19$4.935.1%
      Pizza $10.35$12.0914.4%
      Beer $9.84$10.415.5%

      Health Care

      Item Bardstown National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $87.52$125.6830.4%
      Doctor $106.15$135.7821.8%
      Dentist $102.55$113.299.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.64$10.650.1%
      Lipitor $364.92$468.6022.1%

      Housing

      Item Bardstown National avg. Difference
      Home Price $133,900.00$184,700.0027.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,809.12$2,346.6922.9%
      Apartment Rent $770.00$949.0018.9%

      Transportation

      Item Bardstown National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.11$3.4610.2%
      Tire Balancing $58.38$59.922.6%

      Utilities

      Item Bardstown National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $207.41$193.996.9%
      Phone $192.46$192.250.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      New Hope, KY63990.6%
      Fairfield, KY1858019.6%
      Loretto, KY7238713.4%
      Springfield, KY2,9658911.2%
      Lebanon Junction, KY2,2768911.1%
      Bardstown, KY13,169927.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Firestone, CO13,16512928.6%
      Bothell East, WA13,16418181.2%
      Indiana, PA13,1629010.0%
      Mountain Park, GA13,1761077.0%
      Miami, OK13,1768218.3%
      Bardstown, KY13,169927.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.