Cost of Living in Union, KY

Population 7,494 · Kentucky · Data vintage 2023

128
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Union a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $383,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 0.8% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 15 miles southwest of Cincinnati, Union falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 78% higher than Cincinnati's $215,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 126
Rent 131

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Union

The median home value in Union is $382,900 — 26% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,721/month, 31% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $139,013/year is 86% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Kentucky's top state income tax rate is 4.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. The climate averages highs of 64.4°F and lows of 44.9°F, with about 23.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, Union has a cost of living index of 128 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$382,900
26% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$454,254
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,721/mo
31% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$636
1 BR
$721
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,187
4 BR
$1,336
Owner-occupied 87.6%
Renter-occupied 12.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,721
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,335/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
28.4 min
5% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.1%
Carpooled
9.7%
Work from home
17.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.0%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$139,013
86% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,974
Unemployment Rate
0.8%
84% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Labor Force Participation
71.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 33.0%
Graduate degree 26.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.5
Male median age 35
Female median age 41.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
64.4°F
Avg Low
44.9°F
Annual Precip
45.3"
Annual Snowfall
23.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404454667583868579675443
Low °F 232634445462666557463528
Precip" 3.303.174.164.534.674.753.833.433.113.353.233.73
Snow" 7.76.73.40.40.00.00.00.00.00.20.84.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
76.3%
Good air days/yr
156
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
245
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Union, KY?

Union has a cost index of 128 (100 = national average). It is 28% above the national average.

What is average rent in Union, KY?

The median gross rent in Union is $1,721 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Union?

The median home value in Union is $382,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Union?

The median household income in Union is $139,013 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Union, KY?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Union is 6.0%. The Kentucky state income tax top rate is 4.0%.

Is Union, KY affordable?

Union is above average in cost of living, with an index of 128 — about 28% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Union?

Union has average high temperatures of 64.4°F and average lows of 44.9°F. Annual precipitation is 45.3". Average annual snowfall is 23.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Union at a Glance

Population
7,494
Median Income
$139,013
Home Value
$382,900
Median Rent
$1,721/mo
Unemployment
0.8%
Avg High Temp
64.4°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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