Small city in Northern Kentucky named among best places to live on $100K annual salary
A recent report from finance website GOBankingRates named Bellevue the best place to live on a $100,000 salary in Kentucky due to the relatively affordable cost of living.
The ranking, published Oct. 31, was based on the total cost of annual necessities, median income and a “livability score,” according to the methodology.
Sources included the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data and real estate company Area Vibes and more, GOBankingRates reports.
Here’s how Kentucky’s top city performed.
Bellevue, Ky.
GOBankingRates gave Bellevue a “livability score” of 92 out of 100. The livability score, which is developed by Area Vibes, considers factors such as crime rates, school quality, employment, amenities and more.
The city has a median household income of $66,741, with a total annual necessities cost of $38,625, according to GOBankingRates.
Although it made the finance website’s list for being affordable for households making $100,000 per year, which is above the median income, the city is not affordable for people working for the commonwealth’s minimum wage.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Living Wage Calculator does not have a number specific to Bellevue, but reports Campbell County has a living wage of $19.52 for one adult without children. Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour for nontipped workers in Kentucky.
Bellevue has an estimated population of 5,671 as of 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and about 15.4% of the city’s residents live in poverty. The median per capita income is $42,898.
Home values in Bellevue are up 4.7% from last year, popular housing site Zillow reports, and the median list price is $267,950. Almost 65% of Bellevue housing is owner-occupied, according to the Census Bureau.
Popular activities in and around Bellevue include shopping on Fairfield Avenue, attending community events and enjoying nature.
“The city of Bellevue, though just one square mile with a population of 5,800, hosts over 30 events that enhance the quality of life for its residents. Bellevue Beach Park, located on the Ohio River, serves as our premier asset, consistently brought to life with family-friendly activities and events. Among these is our annual Fall Fest, which attracts thousands of visitors and highlights the vibrant community spirit of our city,” spokesperson Melissa Morandi wrote in an emailed statement to the Herald-Leader.
Bellevue was named the most charming small town in Kentucky by Southern Living in an October 2023 article, with Winchester, Paris, Danville and Horse Cave taking the other top five spots.
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