Central City, KY Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Central City, KY Summary

Cost of living in Central City research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Central City is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Kentucky, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Central City is 88, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Central City is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Central City ranks as the #16 cheapest in Kentucky out of 84.

  • Central City ranks as the #912 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Central City is $126,875.

  • The median income in Central City is $49,025.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
88
Central City's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Central City, KY?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Central City has an overall cost of living index of 88, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Kentucky, Central City has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Kentucky's index of 92.

The standard of living in Central City ranks as #16 most affordable out of the 84 places we measured in Kentucky. By definition, that implies Central City ranks as the #68 most expensive place in the Bluegrass State.

For more reading on life in Central City, check out:

16 out of 84
In Kentucky
912 out of 6,489
In America

Central City Cost Of Living Vs. Kentucky

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Central City. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Central City is 98.

  • The Groceries index in Central City is 93.

  • The Health index in Central City is 90.

  • The Housing index in Central City is 66.

  • The Transportation index in Central City is 92.

  • The Utilities index in Central City is 122.

Living Expense Central City Kentucky National Average
Overall 88 92 100
Services 98 101 100
Groceries 93 99 100
Health 90 85 100
Housing 66 71 100
Transportation 92 94 100
Utilities 122 105 100
For more reading on cost of living around Kentucky, check out:
Central City Cost of Living Vs. KY

Central City, 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 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Central City is $126,875.

  • The Median Rent in Central City is $755.

  • The Median Income in Central City is $49,025.

  • The Home Value To Income in Central City is 2.6x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Central City is 0.18x.

Statistic Central City Kentucky United States
Median Home Value $126,875 $226,606 $303,400
Median Rent $755 $933 $1,348
Median Income $49,025 $62,417 $78,538
Home Value To Income 2.6x 3.6x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.18x 0.18x 0.21x
$126,875
Median Home Value
$755
Median Rent
$49,025
Median Income

Central City, KY Costs By Category

Detailed Central City Services Costs Vs. Kentucky

Item Central City Kentucky
Shampoo $1.23 $1.28
Movie $13.11 $12.13
Bowling $16.17 $18
Haircut $25.34 $24.26
Beauty Salon $44.12 $45.56

Detailed Central City Groceries Costs Vs. Kentucky

Item Central City Kentucky
Ground Beef $5.74 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.37 $1.57
Milk $4.5 $4.67
Potatoes $5.13 $4.93
Pizza $11.24 $12.09
Beer $9.75 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.7 $3.7

Detailed Central City Health Costs Vs. Kentucky

Item Central City Kentucky
Optometrist $94.06 $125.68
Doctor $105.07 $135.78
Dentist $103.51 $113.29

Detailed Central City Transportation Costs Vs. Kentucky

Item Central City Kentucky
Gasoline $3.25 $3.46
Tire Balancing $50.23 $59.92

Detailed Central City Utilities Costs Vs. Kentucky

Item Central City Kentucky
All Electricity $259.32 $193.99
Phone $189.86 $192.25

Central City SnackAbility

7
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
7/10
Housing
5
Affordability
8.5
Diversity
5
Safety
8.5
Amenities
8
Education
5
Commute
8

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