Skyline of Covington
Cost of Living: 95 41,000

Covington, KY, US

Northern Kentucky city across the Ohio River from Cincinnati with historic architecture.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Covington is a city in KY with a population of 41,000. Northern Kentucky city across the Ohio River from Cincinnati with historic architecture. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 95

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 100

Affordable

Median Income $52,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.8%

Job market health

Covington vs US Average

Cost of Living
Covington: 95
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Covington: 100
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Covington: 5%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.0%
  • Sales Tax: 6.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $52,000
  • Unemployment: 3.8%
  • Population: 41,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 190/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 24°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $220,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1100/mo

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Cost of Living

Covington's cost of living index is 95 (US average = 100).

CategoryCovingtonNational AverageDifference
Overall95100-5.0%
Housing1001000.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$220,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1100/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,375/mo
Price per Sq Ft$146

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Covington:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$91Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$78Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$1Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$65Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$300Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Covington scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
95
Rent
$1100
Sunny Days
190
Tax
5%
Unemployment
3.8%
Climate
86°F / 24°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
41,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Covington has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January44°F24°F2.5"
April71°F39°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F42°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Covington faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Dixie Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

Ohio River flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat waves.

Landslide High Risk

Appalachian region with landslides.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5%
  • Sales Tax: 6%
  • Property Tax: ~0.83% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.8%.

Schools & Education

41/100
School Quality Score
Better than 35% of US cities
?
15
Total Schools
10.2:1
Student:Teacher
98.2%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Demographics

The population of Covington is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
1.0%
Black or African American
9.4%
Hispanic or Latino
9.1%
Native American
0.0%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
0.5%
Two or more races
5.1%
White
74.8%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.0%
High school graduate
30.7%
Less than high school
13.0%
Some college
24.3%

Religion

Christian
77.0%
Other
6.0%
Unaffiliated
17.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Covington, KY, US?

The cost of living index in Covington is 95, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Covington?

The median home price in Covington is $220,000. The housing index is 100.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Covington is approximately $1100/mo.

Does Covington, KY have income tax?

Covington is in KY, which has an income tax rate of 5%.

What is the climate like in Covington?

Covington enjoys approximately 190 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 24°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.