Carlisle is a small town of 2,627 in Kentucky, with a median household income of $53,661
and a 3.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is
13% below the national average.
Strengths:
Carlisle stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes. Whether Carlisle is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Carlisle city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 86.6
Carlisle's overall cost of living index is 86.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Carlisle costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.
Metric
Carlisle, KY
National Avg
Median Home Value
$104,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$634
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
57.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$53,661
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Carlisle's violent crime rate is 68.8 per 100,000 residents
— 82% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
68.8 /100k
Property Crime
178.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Carlisle is served primarily by Nicholas County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.9:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Carlisle, KY
National Avg
School District
Nicholas County
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
8.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
85.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Carlisle sees average highs of 41.2°F in January
and 86.7°F in July,
with 46.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 8.8 inches of snow per year.
Carlisle's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Carlisle roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $104,400 and median rent is $634/month.
Carlisle's violent crime rate is 68.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 178.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Carlisle are operated by Nicholas County.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.9:1. 8.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Carlisle, KY has a population of 2,627, a median household income of $53,661, and an unemployment rate of 3.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Carlisle averages 41.2°F in January and 86.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 46.9 inches
with about 8.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Carlisle, KY is covered by 1 ZIP code: 40311.
The population of Carlisle, Kentucky is 2,627 with a median age of 42.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Carlisle: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $104,400, median household income $53,661, crime index 14 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Carlisle side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
