Elizabethtown, KY vs Bowling Green, KY: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Bowling Green, KY and Elizabethtown, KY are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Elizabethtown works out to about $74,700 in Bowling Green, before taxes.
- Housing is 4.9% lower in Bowling Green, goods 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,215 a month in Bowling Green and $1,297 in Elizabethtown, $984 a year less in Bowling Green (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $258,000 in Bowling Green and $245,000 in Elizabethtown.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.0%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Elizabethtown and Bowling Green
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Elizabethtown, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
All items Elizabethtown, KY: 90.6 Bowling Green, KY: 90.2
Goods Elizabethtown, KY: 96.2 Bowling Green, KY: 96.2
Housing (rents) Elizabethtown, KY: 66.7 Bowling Green, KY: 63.4
Utilities Elizabethtown, KY: 74.6 Bowling Green, KY: 75.2
Other services Elizabethtown, KY: 96.9 Bowling Green, KY: 96.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Elizabethtown, KY | Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.6 | 90.2 |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 66.7 | 63.4 |
| Utilities | 74.6 | 75.2 |
| Other services | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| Category | Elizabethtown | Bowling Green | Bowling Green vs Elizabethtown |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.6 | 90.2 | −0.4% |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.2 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 66.7 | 63.4 | −4.9% |
| Utilities | 74.6 | 75.2 | +0.8% |
| Other services | 96.9 | 96.9 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,297 | $1,215 | −6.3% |
| Typical home value | $245,000 | $258,000 | +4.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Elizabethtown | $75,000 | $74,700 | −0.4% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Elizabethtown and Bowling Green has narrowed since 2008: 3.3 points then, 0.4 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Elizabethtown, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Elizabethtown, KY | Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.0 | 86.6 |
| 2009 | 88.1 | 84.7 |
| 2010 | 90.6 | 88.5 |
| 2011 | 91.9 | 87.8 |
| 2012 | 88.8 | 88.7 |
| 2013 | 89.7 | 90.0 |
| 2014 | 90.4 | 89.3 |
| 2015 | 89.1 | 88.9 |
| 2016 | 88.8 | 87.3 |
| 2017 | 87.1 | 87.8 |
| 2018 | 87.3 | 87.9 |
| 2019 | 88.8 | 88.9 |
| 2020 | 88.0 | 89.4 |
| 2021 | 87.6 | 88.6 |
| 2022 | 89.6 | 89.3 |
| 2023 | 88.9 | 89.9 |
| 2024 | 90.6 | 90.2 |
Goods
- Elizabethtown, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Elizabethtown, KY | Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.3 | 95.3 |
| 2009 | 91.9 | 91.9 |
| 2010 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 2011 | 94.7 | 94.7 |
| 2012 | 91.1 | 91.1 |
| 2013 | 92.9 | 92.9 |
| 2014 | 92.0 | 92.0 |
| 2015 | 91.6 | 91.6 |
| 2016 | 92.8 | 92.8 |
| 2017 | 91.7 | 91.7 |
| 2018 | 92.8 | 92.8 |
| 2019 | 94.8 | 94.8 |
| 2020 | 94.4 | 94.4 |
| 2021 | 93.9 | 93.9 |
| 2022 | 94.2 | 94.2 |
| 2023 | 94.4 | 94.4 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
Housing (rents)
- Elizabethtown, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Elizabethtown, KY | Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 71.1 | 57.3 |
| 2009 | 72.4 | 58.9 |
| 2010 | 71.6 | 64.5 |
| 2011 | 76.9 | 58.7 |
| 2012 | 64.8 | 63.6 |
| 2013 | 67.0 | 66.5 |
| 2014 | 68.2 | 64.1 |
| 2015 | 64.2 | 62.7 |
| 2016 | 64.8 | 59.4 |
| 2017 | 60.3 | 63.3 |
| 2018 | 59.5 | 59.8 |
| 2019 | 64.0 | 62.0 |
| 2020 | 60.8 | 65.1 |
| 2021 | 58.6 | 62.2 |
| 2022 | 61.6 | 63.3 |
| 2023 | 58.6 | 66.1 |
| 2024 | 66.7 | 63.4 |
Utilities
- Elizabethtown, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Elizabethtown, KY | Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 69.9 | 70.2 |
| 2009 | 69.8 | 70.8 |
| 2010 | 72.4 | 72.6 |
| 2011 | 76.1 | 76.4 |
| 2012 | 80.7 | 80.7 |
| 2013 | 80.3 | 80.5 |
| 2014 | 83.9 | 83.9 |
| 2015 | 86.6 | 86.5 |
| 2016 | 87.3 | 86.9 |
| 2017 | 87.9 | 87.8 |
| 2018 | 78.3 | 79.3 |
| 2019 | 77.8 | 78.2 |
| 2020 | 76.1 | 77.4 |
| 2021 | 79.0 | 80.0 |
| 2022 | 82.0 | 81.8 |
| 2023 | 80.1 | 80.7 |
| 2024 | 74.6 | 75.2 |
Other services
- Elizabethtown, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Elizabethtown, KY | Bowling Green, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.5 | 95.5 |
| 2009 | 93.1 | 93.1 |
| 2010 | 94.7 | 94.7 |
| 2011 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2012 | 97.9 | 97.9 |
| 2013 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2014 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2015 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2016 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2017 | 94.6 | 94.6 |
| 2018 | 96.3 | 96.3 |
| 2019 | 96.7 | 96.7 |
| 2020 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2021 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2022 | 96.8 | 96.8 |
| 2023 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2024 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,215 in Bowling Green vs $1,297 in Elizabethtown
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Elizabethtown, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Elizabethtown, KY | Bowling Green, KY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | – | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | – | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | – | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | – | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | – | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $886 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $864 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $854 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $877 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $862 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $878 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $877 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $894 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $891 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $893 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $896 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $917 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $927 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | – | $914 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | – | $934 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | – | $960 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | – | $1,019 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | – | $1,033 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,030 | $1,064 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,016 | $1,094 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,089 | $1,113 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,098 | $1,099 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,145 | – | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,192 | $1,151 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,226 | $1,154 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,247 | $1,151 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,267 | $1,168 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,274 | $1,185 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,291 | $1,191 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,266 | $1,188 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,264 | $1,194 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,289 | $1,194 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,289 | $1,201 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,275 | $1,209 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,289 | $1,214 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,293 | $1,226 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,297 | $1,215 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $258,000 in Bowling Green vs $245,000 in Elizabethtown
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Elizabethtown, KY
- Bowling Green, KY
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Elizabethtown, KY | Bowling Green, KY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $131K | $129K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $132K | $132K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $133K | $134K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $132K | $137K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $133K | $139K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $134K | $141K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $136K | $142K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $137K | $144K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $140K | $147K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $141K | $150K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $144K | $152K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $147K | $155K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $149K | $157K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $150K | $159K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $152K | $161K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $154K | $163K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $155K | $164K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $157K | $166K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $160K | $169K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $163K | $171K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $166K | $174K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $167K | $176K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $173K | $181K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $182K | $188K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $187K | $195K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $194K | $203K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $201K | $208K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $205K | $211K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $213K | $222K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $222K | $232K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $226K | $236K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $227K | $238K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $226K | $239K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $232K | $244K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $233K | $247K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $235K | $248K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $235K | $251K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $241K | $254K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $242K | $254K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $246K | $255K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $253K | $261K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $257K | $261K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $254K | $259K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $251K | $259K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $251K | $261K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $248K | $260K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $245K | $258K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.