Kentucky vs North Carolina
North Carolina comes out ahead of Kentucky on 470 of 809 statistics where one end is better, to 326 with 13 ties. Kentucky leads on Agriculture, Education and Infrastructure & Energy and 1 more category. North Carolina leads on Facts & Trivia, Sports and Health and 9 more categories.
809 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 13 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 326
- Avg. percentile
- 43
- Categories led
- 4
- Wins
- 470
- Avg. percentile
- 49
- Categories led
- 12
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | Kentucky | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,629,682 25th of 51 | 11,343,875 9th of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $63,726 47th of 51 | $72,388 38th of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 4.6% tied 40th of 51 | 3.8% tied 20th of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 16.1% 47th of 51 | 13.0% 35th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 90.2 12th of 51 | 94.3 21st of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $52,290 46th of 51 | $56,310 33rd of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $58,990 44th of 51 | $64,290 29th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $967 6th of 51 | $1,228 25th of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 212.1 9th of 51 | 330.3 30th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 4,396 16th of 48 | 3,359 10th of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- AgricultureKentucky · 17 statistics
- Facts & TriviaNorth Carolina · 18 statistics
- SportsNorth Carolina · 17 statistics
- HealthNorth Carolina · 187 statistics
- CultureNorth Carolina · 79 statistics
- GeographyNorth Carolina · 25 statistics
- PopulationNorth Carolina · 122 statistics
- LawNorth Carolina · 68 statistics
- Crime & SafetyNorth Carolina · 75 statistics
- EducationKentucky · 51 statistics
- TravelNorth Carolina · 28 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergyKentucky · 35 statistics
- EnvironmentNorth Carolina · 40 statistics
- Tech & BusinessNorth Carolina · 48 statistics
- EconomicsKentucky · 297 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentNorth Carolina · 125 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | Kentucky | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Amount Received in Child SupportChild Support Percentage by State | $3,183 51st of 51 | $9,167 4th of 51 |
| Registration FeeCar Registration Fees by State | $26.00 2nd of 50 | $370 44th of 50 |
| % of Personal Income Coming from Child SupportChild Support Percentage by State | 9.4% tied 45th of 51 | 19.2% 3rd of 51 |
| % Change in Prison Pop. 2022 to 2023Prison Population by State | -569.0% 4th of 50 | 1,058.0% 44th of 50 |
| Economy RankWorst States to Live in | 5th 5th worst of 50 | 44th 7th best of 50 |
| Meth Use Past MonthDrug Use by State | 1.88% 49th of 51 | 0.7% tied 9th of 51 |
| GDP Growth by State | 1% tied 44th of 50 | 2.7% 6th of 50 |
| Unemployment Insurance Tax RankBest State To Incorporate In | 48th 49th of 51 | 10th 10th of 51 |
| Corruption Score (BestLife)Most Corrupt States | 0.02 50th of 50 | 70.82 12th of 50 |
| Overall RankWorst States to Retire | 1st worst of 50 | 39th 12th best of 50 |
| Score (out of 100)Best States to Own a Business | 14 43rd of 49 | 90 6th of 49 |
| Total ScoreEntrepreneur-Friendly States | 14 43rd of 49 | 90 6th of 49 |
| SSI Civil Service Management ScoreMost Corrupt States | 68 8th of 50 | 53.9 45th of 50 |
| RankEntrepreneur-Friendly States | 43rd 43rd of 50 | 6th 6th of 50 |
| Total RankBest States to Own a Business | 43rd 43rd of 50 | 6th 6th of 50 |
| % of Amphibian Species at RiskMost Biodiverse States | 3.8% 4th of 31 | 22.6% 26th of 31 |
| Personal InjuryStatute of Limitations by State | 1 tied 1st of 50 | 3 tied 29th of 50 |
| Amphetamine Use Rate (Per 100k)Drug Use by State | 584.65 50th of 51 | 294.53 14th of 51 |
| Exp. Physical Violence in Lifetime - MenDomestic Violence by State | 48.8% 48th of 51 | 37.8% 12th of 51 |
| SWAMP Index ScoreMost Corrupt States | 69.81 7th of 51 | 38.51 43rd of 51 |
| Minimum CostBreast Augmentation Cost by State | $5,000 tied 33rd of 50 | $3,500 tied 2nd of 50 |
| Share of All Pedestrian-Related Fatal Accidents 2018-2022Jaywalking Laws By State | 1.23% 1st of 50 | 28.6% 36th of 50 |
| Total Weighted ScoreBest States to Own a Business | 21 tied 39th of 50 | 29 tied 5th of 50 |
| Weighted ScoreEntrepreneur-Friendly States | 21 tied 39th of 50 | 29 tied 5th of 50 |
| Emotional Physical Well Being RankSaddest States | 49th 49th of 50 | 14th 14th of 50 |
| Physically InactiveHealthiest States | 28.0% 47th of 50 | 20.2% 13th of 50 |
| Prisoners, American Indian/Alaskan NativePrison Population by State | 19 6th of 49 | 584 39th of 49 |
| Annual Conviction RateMost Corrupt States | 0.74 per 10k Government Employees 47th of 50 | 0.2 per 10k Government Employees tied 13th of 50 |
| Overall Homelessness Help ScoreBest States to Be Homeless | 53.31 12th of 50 | 35.06 45th of 50 |
| Fuel Prices (1-10)Best States for Camping | 8.27 35th of 49 | 4.27 3rd of 49 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Kentucky or North Carolina?
- North Carolina comes out ahead of Kentucky on 470 of 809 statistics where one end is better, to 326 with 13 ties. Kentucky leads on Agriculture, Education and Infrastructure & Energy and 1 more category. North Carolina leads on Facts & Trivia, Sports and Health and 9 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Kentucky or North Carolina?
- Kentucky has a population of 4,629,682 (25th of 51 US states) and North Carolina has 11,343,875 (9th of 51).
- How do Kentucky and North Carolina compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Kentucky $63,726 (47th of 51), North Carolina $72,388 (38th of 51) among US states. North Carolina ranks better.
- How do Kentucky and North Carolina compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): Kentucky 4.6% (tied 40th of 51), North Carolina 3.8% (tied 20th of 51) among US states. North Carolina ranks better.
- Where does Kentucky beat North Carolina most clearly?
- Kentucky ranks far ahead on Registration Fee (Car Registration Fees by State): $26.00 vs $370; % Change in Prison Pop. 2022 to 2023 (Prison Population by State): -569.0% vs 1,058.0%; SSI Civil Service Management Score (Most Corrupt States): 68 vs 53.9.
- Where does North Carolina beat Kentucky most clearly?
- North Carolina ranks far ahead on Avg. Amount Received in Child Support (Child Support Percentage by State): $9,167 vs $3,183; % of Personal Income Coming from Child Support (Child Support Percentage by State): 19.2% vs 9.4%; Economy Rank (Worst States to Live in): 44th vs 5th.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Kentucky or North Carolina.
- Alabama vs Kentucky
- Alaska vs Kentucky
- Arizona vs Kentucky
- Arkansas vs Kentucky
- California vs Kentucky
- Colorado vs Kentucky
- Connecticut vs Kentucky
- Delaware vs Kentucky
- Alabama vs North Carolina
- Alaska vs North Carolina
- Arizona vs North Carolina
- Arkansas vs North Carolina
- California vs North Carolina
- Colorado vs North Carolina
- Connecticut vs North Carolina
- Delaware vs North Carolina