What is the cost of living in Bardstown, KY?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Bardstown has an overall cost of living index of 91, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Kentucky, Bardstown has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Kentucky's index of 89.
The standard of living in Bardstown ranks as #39 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Kentucky. By definition, that implies Bardstown ranks as the #46 most expensive place in the Bluegrass State.
For more reading on life in Bardstown, check out:
Bardstown Cost Of Living Vs. Kentucky
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Bardstown. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Bardstown is 101.
The Groceries index in Bardstown is 99.
The Health index in Bardstown is 76.
The Housing index in Bardstown is 98.
The Transportation index in Bardstown is 93.
The Utilities index in Bardstown is 99.
| Living Expense | Bardstown | Kentucky | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 91 | 89 | 100 |
| Services | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Health | 76 | 68 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 93 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 96 | 100 |
Bardstown Cost Of Living Compared To Kentucky Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Kentucky, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Bardstown Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Bardstown, KY Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Kentucky, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Bardstown is $262,583.
The Median Rent in Bardstown is $977.
The Median Income in Bardstown is $51,381.
The Home Value To Income in Bardstown is 5.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Bardstown is 0.23x.
Bardstown, KY Costs By Category
Detailed Bardstown Services costs vs. Kentucky
Detailed Bardstown Groceries costs vs. Kentucky
Detailed Bardstown Health costs vs. Kentucky
Detailed Bardstown Transportation costs vs. Kentucky
Bardstown SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Bardstown
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Bardstown. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Jeffersontown, KY has a cost of living index of 101, 1.1x Bardstown.
Shelbyville, KY has a cost of living index of 99, 1.1x Bardstown.
St. Matthews, KY has a cost of living index of 108, 1.2x Bardstown.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Bardstown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffersontown, KY | 29,199 | 101 | 1.1x |
| Shelbyville, KY | 17,668 | 99 | 1.1x |
| St. Matthews, KY | 17,577 | 108 | 1.2x |
| Middletown, KY | 9,763 | 108 | 1.2x |
| Douglass Hills, KY | 5,474 | 107 | 1.2x |
