Affordability vs median income
Modeled annual costs equal about 74.2% of median family income in Suffolk County, MA and 46.0% in Fayette County, KY. This matters because a cheaper county can still feel tight if typical local incomes are also lower.
Suffolk County, MA vs Fayette County, KY: Cost of Living Difference
Fayette County, KY is cheaper than Suffolk County, MA for modeled annual cost of living. This comparison shows the yearly cost gap, salary needed to keep similar purchasing power, and the categories driving the difference.
Is it cheaper?
Fayette County, KY is cheaper than Suffolk County, MA.
Cheaper place
Fayette County, KYSave about $37,602 per year.Cost gap
Moving to Fayette County, KY is estimated to save $37,602 per year.
AnnualSave about $37,602 per year.
MonthlySave about $3,134 per month.
Salary needed
$50,000 in Suffolk County, MA is about $27,005 in Fayette County, KY.
Biggest drivers
Healthcare increases by $293 per year. Housing saves $18,057 per year.
Suffolk County, MA→Fayette County, KY
Equivalent salary in Fayette County, KY
$27,005
-45.99% lower
Current salary: $50,000
Household: 1 adult · 0 children
Median Income in Suffolk County, MA: $110,193
Median Income in Fayette County, KY: $95,958
annual living index in Suffolk County, MA 74.20%
annual living index in Fayette County, KY 46.02%
This estimate matches your purchasing power (equivalent salary) when moving from Suffolk County, MA to Fayette County, KY.
* Living index is estimated as (estimated annual total cost / area median annual income) * 100. A living index above 100% means modeled costs exceed median income.
Cost of Living Breakdown by Category
Category-by-category comparison
Annual costs are shown for the selected household. The difference column shows how much more or less the category costs in Fayette County, KY compared with Suffolk County, MA.
| Category | Suffolk County, MA | Fayette County, KY | Annual difference | Monthly impact | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $27,925 | $9,868 | -$18,057(-64.66%) | -$1,505 | Lower in Fayette County, KY |
| Taxes | $20,352 | $8,852 | -$11,500(-56.51%) | -$958 | Lower in Fayette County, KY |
| Other Costs | $10,246 | $4,361 | -$5,885(-57.44%) | -$490 | Lower in Fayette County, KY |
| Transport | $13,132 | $11,579 | -$1,553(-11.83%) | -$129 | Lower in Fayette County, KY |
| Food | $5,077 | $4,177 | -$900(-17.73%) | -$75 | Lower in Fayette County, KY |
| Healthcare | $5,033 | $5,326 | +$293(5.82%) | +$24 | Higher in Fayette County, KY |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 | $0(0%) | $0 | About even |
Why this comparison matters
These notes use the actual annual cost differences between Suffolk County, MA and Fayette County, KY, so the page highlights the budget tradeoffs behind the total.
Housing
Housing is $18,057 per year lower in Fayette County, KY than in Suffolk County, MA. Housing usually behaves like a fixed monthly commitment, so this matters most for renters or buyers checking whether Fayette County, KY changes their baseline budget.
Food
Food is $900 per year lower in Fayette County, KY than in Suffolk County, MA. Food costs affect weekly cash flow, so even a smaller modeled gap in Fayette County, KY can show up quickly for households that cook most meals at home.
Transportation
Transportation is $1,553 per year lower in Fayette County, KY than in Suffolk County, MA. Transportation matters for commuters because driving distance, vehicle costs, and transit access can change how much of a salary is left after getting around Fayette County, KY.
Healthcare
Healthcare is $293 per year higher in Fayette County, KY than in Suffolk County, MA. Healthcare differences are useful for planning premiums and out-of-pocket exposure, especially if Fayette County, KY changes provider networks or plan options.
Other necessities
Other necessities is $5,885 per year lower in Fayette County, KY than in Suffolk County, MA. Other necessities cover everyday basics, so changes in Fayette County, KY help explain the non-housing costs that can quietly add up month after month.
Childcare
Childcare is about the same in Suffolk County, MA and Fayette County, KY, so this category is not a major driver of the modeled gap. Childcare is most important for households with children; in Fayette County, KY, this line can swing the result even when housing or taxes look manageable.
Taxes
Taxes is $11,500 per year lower in Fayette County, KY than in Suffolk County, MA. Taxes affect take-home pay, so the gap in Fayette County, KY matters even if the headline salary looks similar before deductions.
Methodology and data vintage
WatchPennies uses county-level 2026 cost estimates from a 2025-2026 cost-data snapshot. The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Read the full methodologyFrequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Suffolk County, MA or Fayette County, KY?
Fayette County, KY is cheaper than Suffolk County, MA by about $37,602 per year.
How much salary is needed in Fayette County, KY?
A $50,000 salary in Suffolk County, MA is modeled as roughly equivalent to $27,005 in Fayette County, KY for the selected household profile.
What costs are included in this Suffolk County, MA vs Fayette County, KY comparison?
The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.
Is this comparison personalized financial advice?
No. WatchPennies comparisons are directional planning estimates based on county-level public datasets, not personalized financial, tax, housing, or relocation advice.
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