Hardin County Courthouse in Elizabethtown · Nyttend / Public domainBrown Pusey House Community Center · Nyttend / Public domainSamuel B. Thomas House · Nyttend / Public domainPanther Baseball Park · Wikimedia Commons / Public domain
Elizabethtown is a small city of 31,425 in Kentucky, with a median household income of $54,493
and a 5.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Elizabethtown stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Elizabethtown is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Elizabethtown 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: 89.4
Elizabethtown's overall cost of living index is 89.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Elizabethtown costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Elizabethtown, KY
National Avg
Median Home Value
$207,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$847
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
48.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$54,493
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Elizabethtown's violent crime rate is 137.2 per 100,000 residents
— 64% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
137.2 /100k
Property Crime
698.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Elizabethtown is served primarily by Hardin County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.3:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Elizabethtown, KY
National Avg
School District
Hardin County
—
Elementary Schools
13
—
Middle Schools
5
—
High Schools
5
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
29.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
92.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Elizabethtown sees average highs of 42.0°F in January
and 86.0°F in July,
with 54.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 4.5 inches of snow per year.
Elizabethtown's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Elizabethtown roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $207,800 and median rent is $847/month.
Elizabethtown's violent crime rate is 137.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 698.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Elizabethtown are operated by Hardin County.
The district has 13 elementary, 5 middle, and 5 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.3:1. 29.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Elizabethtown, KY has a population of 31,425, a median household income of $54,493, and an unemployment rate of 5.8%.
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.
Elizabethtown averages 42.0°F in January and 86.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 54.4 inches
with about 4.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Elizabethtown, KY is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 42701, 42724.
The population of Elizabethtown, Kentucky is 31,425 with a median age of 37.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Elizabethtown: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $207,800, median household income $54,493, crime index 35 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Elizabethtown side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
