The Best Places to Live in Kentucky for a New Job

Known for its bourbon, bluegrass music, baseball bats, horse races, and - let's not forget - Colonel Sanders, Kentucky is a fascinating place to live. If you're searching for a new career and want to explore the best places to live in Kentucky, the “Bluegrass State” offers many choices.

Whatever city you ultimately decide on, you'll experience a spirited blend of southern hospitality amidst spectacular natural attractions, including lush forests, magnificent waterfalls, remarkable caves, and the legendary Appalachian Mountains. Each destination boasts its own distinct character and flair, yet wherever you settle down, you'll always experience that warm Kentucky friendliness that's hard to beat.

What are the Top Benefits of Living in Kentucky?

• The overall cost of living is much lower than the U.S. average. Housing costs are also more affordable than in other states.
• Is Kentucky a Right to Work state? Yes, it is! The Kentucky RTW law exempts you from having to join or financially support a labor union as a condition of your employment.
• The state has a considerably lower crime rate than other parts of the U.S.
• The Kentucky work-ready scholarship provides tuition assistance for residents to obtain an industry-recognized certification, associate degree, or diploma in the high-demand fields of manufacturing, business and IT, construction, healthcare, and logistics.
• You can enjoy plenty of outdoor attractions, such as Fort Knox, Mammoth Cave National Park, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
• Kentucky produces 95% of the world's bourbon so, if you like bourbon, this is the place to be.
• The state is home to one of America's most historic sporting events, the Kentucky Derby.

If you plan on moving to the “Bluegrass State” to find a new career, you'll want to explore your options first. Below, we list some of the best places to live in Kentucky, where you can find various jobs in different industries.

Bowling Green

This charming university city offers residents a dense suburban feel and is designated as a Tree City USA for its commitment to effective urban forest management. Bowling green is home to the esteemed Corvette car, and its production facility still produces the iconic vehicle. You'll find a vibrant downtown area, lively riverfront, historic neighborhoods, and a strong, growing economy here. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the Lost River Caves and nearby Mammoth Cave National Park. When it comes to your job search, focus on Bowling Green's largest employment sectors, which include manufacturing, logistics, engineering, and education.

Explore Bowling Green, KY jobs on Monster.

Owensboro

Kentucky's fourth-largest city sits on the Ohio River and is famous for its annual fairs, festivals, and sporting events. Known as the "Barbeque Capital of the World," Owensboro holds the International Barbeque Festival every May. The lively waterfront offers residents exciting restaurants, shops, parks, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. Plus, you'll benefit from a lower cost of living compared to the rest of the state. Housing, specifically, is more affordable in Owensboro. As the business and retail center of western Kentucky, there are plenty of opportunities in manufacturing, education, healthcare, construction, and retail.

Explore Owensboro, KY jobs on Monster.

Covington

Located along the banks of the Ohio river, just across from the “Queen City” of Cincinnati, is Covington. It's easy to see why this city is one of the best places to live in Kentucky. From its eclectic architecture and intriguing public art to its historic neighborhoods and vibrant urban community, Covington is the ideal place to settle down. People come here to enjoy easy access to big-city amenities without the higher cost of living. As a central hub for retail outlets and medical facilities, you can find plenty of healthcare, hospitality, retail, and education jobs here.

Explore Covington, KY jobs on Monster.

Lexington

Renowned as the “Horse Capital of the World”, Lexington and the surrounding area boast more than 450 horse farms stocked with every breed imaginable. This central Kentucky bluegrass region, dotted with green pastures and rolling hills, is a distinguished international center for racing, breeding, and sales. The equestrian industry significantly impacts Kentucky's economy, providing more than 60,000 jobs. If you're looking for opportunities in education, one of the region's largest employers is the esteemed University of Kentucky, which also supports the agriculture industry. It owns over 2,400 acres of land, which has been used for research and development since 1865.

Explore Lexington, KY jobs on Monster.

Louisville

Home to the famous Kentucky Derby, bourbon, old fashioned and mint julep cocktails, and Louisville Slugger baseball bats, this is one of the best cities to live in Kentucky. If bourbon is your drink of choice, you can experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail adventure that starts in Louisville and offers tours of 37 distilleries throughout the state. You'll find a diverse range of suburban neighborhoods to choose from and a low unemployment rate compared to the rest of the state. Bourbon production supports warehousing, distilling, retail, logistics, and hospitality jobs. But you can also find opportunities in healthcare and e-commerce here.

Explore Louisville, KY jobs on Monster.

Your New Career is Waiting for You in the “Bluegrass State”

The best places to live in Kentucky are waiting for you to explore. Start by creating your free profile on Monster and upload your resume to connect with top recruiters in your field. We strongly suggest that you sign up for customized job alerts as well, so you can be one of the first to apply whenever a new job listing is posted.