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Financial Managers Salary in Kentucky: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Financial Managers salary really buy you in Kentucky?

Kentucky is 10.6% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$130,650
Median annual (2025)
+11.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$146,140
COL-adjusted (RPP=89.4)

Kentucky Cost of Living Index

Kentucky's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 89.4, meaning prices are 10.6% lower the national average. A Financial Managers earning $130,650 in Kentucky has the equivalent purchasing power of $146,140 in an average-cost US state.

KY: 89.4
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Kentucky's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $82,110 $91,845 +$9,735
25th Percentile (P25) $100,190 $112,069 +$11,879
Median (P50) $130,650 $146,140 +$15,490
75th Percentile (P75) $169,680 $189,798 +$20,118
90th Percentile (P90) $223,290 $249,765 +$26,475
Key Insight

A Financial Managers in Kentucky earns $130,650 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 12% further — like earning $146,140 in an average-cost state. This makes Kentucky one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Kentucky Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 89.4

Kentucky's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 89.4 means a basket of goods and services costs about 10.6% less than the national average. For a Financial Managers, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+11.9%

Adjusting $130,650 for Kentucky's cost of living yields $146,141 — a 11.9% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#36 / 51

Kentucky's rank of #36 of 51 states means real purchasing power for Financial Managers trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Financial Managers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Financial Managers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$204,349
RPP 107.6
$188,994
RPP 109.4
$185,285
RPP 98.0
$183,005
RPP 108.8
$181,477
RPP 88.0
$181,410
RPP 102.1
$178,582
RPP 102.3
8. Kansas
$177,088
RPP 90.0
$177,048
RPP 94.2
10. Georgia
$174,102
RPP 95.8

Kentucky ranks #36 out of 51 states for Financial Managers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Financial Managers take-home pay in Kentucky after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Financial Managers in Kentucky after cost of living?

A Financial Managers in Kentucky earns a median salary of $130,650 per year. After adjusting for Kentucky's cost of living (RPP=89.4), the real purchasing power is $146,140 — a +11.9% difference.

Is Kentucky expensive to live in?

Kentucky's cost of living is 10.6% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Kentucky is 89.4 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Financial Managers in Kentucky: $130,650 x (100 / 89.4) = $146,140. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Financial Managers in Kentucky financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Financial Managers in Kentucky enjoys 11.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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