What is the cost of living in Bowling Green, KY?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Bowling Green has an overall cost of living index of 95, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Kentucky, Bowling Green has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Kentucky's index of 89.
The standard of living in Bowling Green ranks as #57 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Kentucky. By definition, that implies Bowling Green ranks as the #28 most expensive place in the Bluegrass State.
For more reading on life in Bowling Green, check out:
Bowling Green Cost Of Living Vs. Kentucky
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Bowling Green. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Bowling Green is 96.
The Groceries index in Bowling Green is 99.
The Health index in Bowling Green is 91.
The Housing index in Bowling Green is 91.
The Transportation index in Bowling Green is 93.
The Utilities index in Bowling Green is 91.
| Living Expense | Bowling Green | Kentucky | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 95 | 89 | 100 |
| Services | 96 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Health | 91 | 68 | 100 |
| Housing | 91 | 98 | 100 |
| Transportation | 93 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 91 | 96 | 100 |
Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green is $288,241.
The Median Rent in Bowling Green is $998.
The Median Income in Bowling Green is $48,873.
The Home Value To Income in Bowling Green is 5.9x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Bowling Green is 0.25x.
| Statistic | Bowling Green | Kentucky | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $288,241 | $231,894 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $998 | $967 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $48,873 | $63,726 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 5.9x | 3.6x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.25x | 0.18x | 0.21x |
Bowling Green, KY Costs By Category
Detailed Bowling Green Services costs vs. Kentucky
| Item | Bowling Green | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.23 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $13.3 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $19.79 | $18 |
| Haircut | $24.76 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $46.01 | $45.56 |
Detailed Bowling Green Groceries costs vs. Kentucky
| Item | Bowling Green | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.7 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.43 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.68 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.16 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $10.85 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.05 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.71 | $3.7 |
Detailed Bowling Green Health costs vs. Kentucky
| Item | Bowling Green | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $96.03 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $116.91 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $104.65 | $113.29 |
Detailed Bowling Green Transportation costs vs. Kentucky
| Item | Bowling Green | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.12 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $57.43 | $59.92 |
Detailed Bowling Green Utilities costs vs. Kentucky
| Item | Bowling Green | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $183.77 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $218.37 | $192.25 |
Bowling Green SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Bowling Green
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Bowling Green. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Hendersonville, TN has a cost of living index of 111, 1.2x Bowling Green.
Gallatin, TN has a cost of living index of 105, 1.1x Bowling Green.
Central, LA has a cost of living index of 105, 1.1x Bowling Green.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Bowling Green |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendersonville, TN | 63,091 | 111 | 1.2x |
| Gallatin, TN | 48,532 | 105 | 1.1x |
| Central, LA | 29,783 | 105 | 1.1x |
| Goodlettsville, TN | 17,597 | 107 | 1.1x |
| White House, TN | 14,631 | 106 | 1.1x |
| Portland, TN | 13,449 | 93 | 1.0x |
| Franklin, KY | 10,360 | 89 | 0.9x |
| Greenbrier, TN | 6,971 | 103 | 1.1x |
| Millersville, TN | 5,836 | 102 | 1.1x |
