Photo by Elisa Kennemer on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/@elisalou)
Bowling Green, Kentucky Retirement Guide
affordable cost of livingestablished retirement community
57
Retirement Score
Bowling Green, Kentucky at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $247,200
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security exempt; pension/retirement income partially exempt up to threshold.
- Avg January Low
- 30.1°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 89.4 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- affordable cost of living, established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 57 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
89.4 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$247,200High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$953High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security exempt; pension/retirement income partially exempt up to threshold.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
48.8 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
60.9 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
48.8 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
90.1°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
30.1°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
50.9"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
294 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
46.3 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
0.3 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
72,385High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
27.8High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
11.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$47,118High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
37.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
5.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
31.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
26.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
69.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
12.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
8.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
7.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Bowling Green using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$536
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$602
Median home price used: $247,200
Median rent reference: $953 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.