Kentucky: Best Affordable Places to Live
Best Affordable Places to Live in Kentucky in 2025

By Rebecca Lake
(Last Updated – 02/2025)
Kentucky is known for quite a few things, from the Kentucky Derby to bluegrass music to a certain fried chicken brand. But those aren’t the only reasons people might choose to live here. The Bluegrass State also features plenty of job opportunities, affordable housing, lots of natural beauty, and a cost of living that’s 15% below the national average.
Where are the best places to live in Kentucky? There are plenty of cities and towns that could be an ideal place to call home, depending on whether you’re raising a family, seeking a job, planning to retire, or simply looking to relocate on a budget. Here are some of the best places to live in Kentucky now.
Best Places to Live in Kentucky
What makes one city better than another when deciding where to live? That’s the question we attempted to answer with our research. Specifically, we honed in on these factors to decide which cities rate as the best places to live in Kentucky:
• Median household income
• Overall cost of living
• Average rent prices
• Home price to income ratio
The following rankings include larger cities in Kentucky, along with a few smaller locales you might not have heard of. We’ve organized them by category to make it easier to find your next place to live if you’re planning a move here or relocating within the state.
Best Affordable Places to Live in Kentucky
Affordability is an important consideration when deciding where to call home. As mentioned, the cost of living in Kentucky is below the national average and housing prices play a big part in that.
If you’re a first-time buyer, it’s worth looking into first-time homebuyer programs in Kentucky to see what options you might have for saving money when purchasing property. (Comparing the cost of living by state can help you to find an affordable place to live if you’re planning a move but not 100% set on Kentucky.) Regardless of whether you plan to rent a home or buy one, the Kentucky cities on our list prove to be among the most affordable options based on housing and overall cost of living.
💡 Quick Tip: When house hunting, don’t forget to lock in your home mortgage loan rate so there are no surprises if your offer is accepted.
1. Owensboro

Photo credit: iStock/DenisTangneyJr
An Ohio River town, Owensboro is Kentucky’s fourth largest city and boasts a year-round ice arena, unusual for Kentucky. Families flock to the expansive new Smothers Park Playground on the river, but the city also is home to a museum of fine art and hosts an annual barbecue festival. The overall cost of living is below the national average, making it another affordable pick if you’re looking for a mid-sized place to call home in Kentucky.
Population: 60,140
Median Household Income: $53,295
Cost of Living: 87% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,395
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.6
2. Henderson
Henderson is a suburb of Evansville, Indiana (population: 115,000), and it has all the amenities you’d expect from proximity to a larger city, along with plenty of job opportunities. Those with kids may especially appreciate its well-regarded schools.
Population: 27,734
Median Household Income: $47,176
Cost of Living: 82% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $913
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 4.0
3. Ashland

Photo credit: iStock/Wendy Van
This eastern Appalachian town sits on the bank of the Ohio River and boasts a pleasant downtown and riverfront area. It is home to the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center and the Paramount Arts Center. It’s one of the cities where you’ll spend the least proportion of your income on housing, which could make buying more attractive.
Population: 21,154
Median Household Income: $52,199
Cost of Living: 79% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,080
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 2.1
Recommended: Mortgage Prequalification vs. Preapproval: The Differences
Best Places to Live in Kentucky for Families
If you’re raising a family or planning to start one, there are certain factors that might influence your decision to choose one city over another. Good schools, access to quality daycare, and safety might be just some of the things on your list of must-haves. These cities are some of the best places to live in Kentucky for families on a budget.
1. Bowling Green

Photo credit: iStock/ChrisBoswell
Some of the things that make Bowling Green a good fit for families include the overall low cost of living and wide range of suburban amenities available. Parents will likely also value its top-rated schools. There are plenty of things to do with kids in the city, but if you’re interested in taking a family trip, Nashville and Louisville are both within driving distance.
Population: 76,212
Median Household Income: $48,419
Cost of Living: 84% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,250
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 5.7
2. Union
Although it’s located in Kentucky, Union is technically a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio and it’s a relatively short drive into the city. Families will appreciate that public schools in the area are highly rated. And there are plenty of local events held throughout the year that are designed to appeal to families with kids, including a city Easter Egg hunt and a Celebrate America parade. Union might be an ideal choice for families who are looking for a quieter, rural feel near a major city.
Population: 7,671
Median Household Income: $139,013
Cost of Living: 93% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $2,200
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.0
3. Mount Washington
Mount Washington is a suburb of Louisville and it plays host to a number of young families along with young professionals and job-seekers. Families there appreciate its above-average schools, and for entertainment the big city is only half an hour away.
Population: 18,637
Median Household Income: $93,852
Cost of Living: 93% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,299
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.2
Best Places to Live in Kentucky for Young Adults
Job opportunities, affordable housing, and a thriving nightlife are some of the things that might motivate you to choose one Kentucky city over another if you’re a young professional. These cities offer a great combination of affordability, employment options, and things to do for young people.
1. Fort Thomas

Photo credit: Flickr/Warren LeMay , Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic
Fort Thomas, outside of Cincinnati, has earned a reputation for being a good place to raise a family, but the area also attracts lots of young job-seekers who are looking for work. The town boasts its fair share of restaurants, clubs, and bars, as well as walking and hiking trails for nature lovers. This spot could be ideal for professionals who are commuting into nearby Cincinnati each day for work. If you are looking to purchase a home, going through the mortgage preapproval process can help you make a more competitive offer if there are multiple bidders involved.
Population: 16,973
Median Household Income: $100,819
Cost of Living: 93% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,295
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.3
2. Louisville

Photo credit: iStock/Sean Pavone
Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky, and with so many companies located in the area, it’s a natural draw for young adults who are looking for a place to start their career or make a job change. Major employers here are Norton Healthcare, United Parcel Service, and Humana, Inc. From ghost tours to Churchill Downs race track to the Louisville Slugger Museum, there’s also no shortage of things to do here. If it’s your first time shopping for a home, study this first-time homebuyer guide to learn more about the purchase process.
Population: 622,981
Median Household Income: $64,731
Cost of Living: 95% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,300
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.7
3. Lexington

Photo credit: iStock/Davel5957
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky. Its population is diverse, and a substantial number of young people live in the area, which is perfect for newcomers who are looking to make friends. Some of the largest employers outside of the education and health care sector include Lockheed Martin and Toyota, though there are plenty of smaller companies to attract job hunters. Nightlife abounds, with bars, restaurants, sporting events, and bourbon distilleries abundantly available, and a vibrant arts scene as well.
Although Lexington is probably one of the places in Kentucky where you’re most likely to need a jumbo mortgage loan, there are still some affordable options. If you’re interested in buying a home here, researching different types of mortgage loans is a good place to start. Like many university towns, Lexington, home to the University of Kentucky, has elevated rents, but there is abundant inventory to be had.
Population: 320,154
Median Household Income: $67,631
Cost of Living: 96% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,500
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 4.6
Recommended: SoFi Home Loan Help Center
Best Places to Live in Kentucky for Retirees
Finding the best place to live in retirement isn’t always easy, as you have to consider things like housing affordability, access to health care, and what you’ll pay in taxes. If you’re collecting Social Security in retirement or plan to, that income is tax-exempt in Kentucky. The state also offers tax deductions for other types of retirement income, which can yield additional savings.
💡 Quick Tip: If you refinance your mortgage and shorten your loan term, you could save a substantial amount in interest over the lifetime of the loan.
1. Shively
Shively is a suburb of Louisville that offers convenience to the city, with a suburban feel. More than 20% of the population is 65 or older. There are numerous assisted living facilities available for seniors who are moving out of their homes, either out of choice or need, and Louisville offers easy access to medical care. If you’re planning on buying a home, getting familiar with tips to qualify for a mortgage could make it easier to find the right home loan option for your needs and budget.
Population: 15,455
Median Household Income: $46,522
Cost of Living: 92% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,500
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.9
2. Mayfield

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Paul Sableman , Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
Mayfield is a good place to retire for older adults who are looking for a smaller town with a lower cost of living. Just under 20% of the population is 65 or older, though there are a good many young families living in the area as well. Mayfield offers convenient access to parks for retirees who enjoy spending time outdoors and the Mayfield-Graves County Senior Center routinely sponsors social events to give older residents a chance to connect.
Population: 9,713
Median Household Income: $41,458
Cost of Living: 86% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $995
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.3
3. Berea

Photo credit: Flickr/PEO ACWA , Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
Berea is a smallish town located about 45 minutes south of Lexington. It’s one of the fastest growing cities in the state and is a mecca for retirees, students, and folk artists. Berea is situated in the bluegrass region, and there are several annual festivals and fairs that attract visitors to the area. In terms of cost, the town is an affordable option for retirees and the Active Senior Network encourages older residents to get social on a regular basis.
Population: 15,998
Median Household Income: $56,484
Cost of Living: 84% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $925
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 4.1
Best Places to Live in Kentucky Near the Water
Looking for a scenic place to call home? These towns are the best places to live in Kentucky if you love the great outdoors and want easy access to a river or lake.
1. Bardstown

Photo credit: iStock/Brian Koellish
Bardstown is one of the most beautiful small towns in America, and its downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It also has the distinction of being one of Kentucky’s bourbon capitals. If you’re looking for things to do on the water, the Beech Fork River is ideal for paddleboarding, kayaking, or canoeing. Boating and fishing are also an option at Sympson Lake.
Population: 13,832
Median Household Income: $49,781
Cost of Living: 85% of U.S. average
Median Rent Price: $1,270
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 4.9
2. Frankfort

Photo credit: iStock/DenisTangneyJr
Frankfort is a larger city and the state capital, but it’s still small enough to feel cozy and comfortable, while also offering a low cost of living. Some of the best things to do outdoors here include golfing, canoeing, kayaking, paddling, and mountain biking. If cycling isn’t your thing and you’re not inclined to spend time on the water, you can also get out and test one of the many hiking trails in the area.
Population: 28,285
Median Household Income: $54,438
Cost of Living: 85% of U.S. average
Average Rent Price: $1,019
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 4.2
3. Paducah

Photo credit: iStock/JT Crawford
Paducah sits where the Tennessee and Ohio rivers converge, halfway between St. Louis, Missouri and Nashville, Tennessee. It has a larger population than some of the other cities that rate as the best places to live in Kentucky, but that doesn’t keep it from being an affordable place to live. If you’re interested in exploring nature, you can check out a variety of recreational activities at nearby Land Between the Lakes, including cycling, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, ATV trails, and hunting. Paducah is also one of nine Creative Cities in the U.S. designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Population: 26,749
Median Household Income: $51,243
Cost of Living: 84% of U.S. average
Median Rent Price: $1,200
Home Price-to-Income Ratio: 3.1
The Takeaway
Kentucky offers a wide range of options to fit almost any budget for renters and homebuyers alike, which could make it an ideal choice if you’re looking for ways to cut down on your cost of living. Whether you are looking for a bustling city with lots of entertainment options, or a smaller town rich with local food, fun, and tradition, the Bluegrass state could be right for you.
Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.
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FAQ
Is Kentucky a good place to live 2025?
Kentucky is a good place to live in 2025 if you’re looking for affordable housing, a low cost of living, and plenty of things to do all year round. Louisville and Lexington are great for urban living, but there are lots of mid-sized and smaller towns to choose from if you’d like a slower pace.
What part of Kentucky is the cheapest place to live in?
Bell County, home to the city of Middlesboro, is one of the cheapest places to live in Kentucky, based on the overall cost of living. Bell County is located in the southeast part of the state and is ideal for people who enjoy spending time in the great outdoors.
Where is the nicest place to live in Kentucky?
Some of the nicest places to live in Kentucky include Louisville, Lexington, Owensboro, and Berea. Kentucky offers a mix of larger cities and smaller ones, with some mid-sized towns in between so it’s easy to find a place to live that fits your needs and preferences.
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Read moreSoFi’s Crypto Guide for Beginners
Crypto 101
SoFi’s Crypto Guide for Beginners
The world of cryptocurrency is constantly evolving. Use our crypto guide to master the basics, learn about crypto innovations, and consider the many ways it’s possible to invest in crypto now.
Crypto Basics
In this section:
What Is Cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency, often simply called “crypto,” is any type of decentralized, digital currency that’s based on cryptography. Those three terms are key to understanding the thousands of different types of crypto being traded today.
“Decentralized” means that cryptocurrency isn’t issued by a central authority like a government or bank, the way the dollar, euro, yen, and other fiat currencies are. Instead, cryptocurrencies are created, exchanged, and often overseen by a distributed peer-to-peer network.
Crypto is digital, meaning two things. First, with a couple of exceptions, the value of most crypto is not pegged to a fiat currency like the dollar or euro, nor is it determined by a precious metal like gold. And though people may refer to crypto in physical terms (e.g., as coins), crypto is generated and traded in only a digital format.
Cryptography refers to the mathematical technique used to secure each unit of cryptocurrency and ensure it can’t be copied.
Most crypto exists on a blockchain platform. Blockchain is the digital ledger that records most crypto transactions. This use of blockchain technology as a foundational element for cryptocurrency began in 2009, in tandem with the launch of Bitcoin. But blockchain technology is evolving rapidly, and a range of other industries are exploring its potential applications as well.
How Does Cryptocurrency Work?
There are thousands of cryptocurrencies, and while many are designed to provide some new feature or function on a given blockchain platform, many, if not most are founded on similar principles to those that established Bitcoin. Crypto is secured by a peer-to-peer network, and users can trade or transfer value — globally and almost instantly, 24 hours per day, seven days per week — without relying on a middleman, like a bank or payment processor.
Cryptocurrencies are considered secure because they employ a “trustless” system of verification for all transactions. This means that users don’t have to rely on a third party to verify transactions: the system itself is self-governing.
As of November 2023, estimates of the number of cryptocurrency you can trade are around 8,800, with a total market capitalization of over $1.32 trillion. The biggest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization are Bitcoin and Ethereum – by a wide margin. Cryptocurrencies are generally stored in digital wallets, commonly a blockchain wallet, which allows users to manage and trade different crypto.
What Is Blockchain Technology?
The widespread use of blockchain technology as the underlying platform for most forms of crypto began in 2009, when an innovative use of blockchain enabled the successful launch of Bitcoin. For that reason, many people think of blockchain and cryptocurrency as synonymous, when in fact blockchain technology has a wide variety of applications.
Blockchain is a digital, append-only ledger that can be used to track or record almost any type of asset, from goods and services to patents, smart contracts, and more. It’s transparent, meaning the transactions on a public blockchain are accessible to anyone, and unlike a physical system of record keeping, the record of transactions is designed to be permanent and immutable.
Why Is It Called Blockchain?
The reason blockchain records are theoretically unchangeable is because the system is built from “blocks” of data that are “chained” together in chronological order (hence the name “blockchain”) so that all transactions are visible to everyone on the network. Blockchain technology relies on cryptography to secure these transactions and, in the case of many types of crypto, to mine coins and tokens.
Why Is Blockchain Considered Secure?
A blockchain runs on a decentralized network of computers, called nodes, which enable a form of consensus (peer-to-peer) confirmation that can drive faster, more secure transactions. The distributed, self-governing nature of blockchain thus makes fraud and duplication far more difficult compared with legacy record-keeping systems.
The combination of speed, security, and transparency has not only enabled the growth of cryptocurrencies worldwide, many other industries are now exploring blockchain’s uses as well.
More on Blockchain Technology:
How Does Crypto Mining Work?
Crypto miners use special computer hardware to do the complex mathematical cryptography required to confirm each transaction on a blockchain. This process, called “proof of work” (PoW), requires miners to complete billions of calculations in order to verify a block of transactions. Because proof-of-work crypto mining requires immense amounts of energy, there are concerns that the types of crypto that rely on PoW may be harmful to the environment.
Proof of stake (PoS) is another consensus mechanism by which crypto is created, and is becoming increasingly more common as it’s less resource-intensive. For example, the Ethereum network moved from a proof of work system to a proof of stake one, reducing the energy it consumes by 99.9%.
Crypto mining is highly competitive. The process relies on a network-wide consensus that essentially backs the validity of each transaction, even without a central authority. Once a miner has completed a certain number of calculations to verify a block of transactions on a given blockchain platform, they may be rewarded with new coins — if they are the first to verify the block.
More on Crypto Mining:
What are Crypto Exchanges?
With the exception of emerging crypto-based securities, it’s generally not possible to trade crypto on a traditional exchange, which is why you need a crypto exchange.
There are three main types of crypto exchanges: centralized, decentralized, and hybrid. While centralized exchanges are still more common for trading crypto, it’s important to understand the differences among the three so you can decide which is best for you.
Centralized
A centralized cryptocurrency exchange is a platform where cryptos are bought and sold, with the help of a third party to conduct the transactions. On a centralized exchange you can use a traditional, aka fiat currency, like the dollar to execute trades, as well as trading crypto itself.
Decentralized
Decentralized exchanges (DEX) are more aligned with the spirit of crypto, in that these exchanges allow crypto investors to trade directly with each other, without the need for a middleman. In theory, a DEX might be more secure since there’s no central platform that can be hacked. Also, without the need for third parties, you might see lower fees and faster transaction speeds on a DEX.
Hybrid
Hybrid exchanges are less common than either centralized or decentralized exchanges. They aim to combine features of both: e.g., the liquidity of a centralized exchange and the security and anonymity of a DEX.
When choosing the exchange where you prefer to trade crypto, there are other issues to consider, including ease of use, whether your funds might be insured, as well as other considerations.
More on Crypto Exchanges:
Why Has Crypto Become so Popular?
In a word: Growth. Investors are intrigued by the potential of cryptocurrency to grow in value — as well as the potential transformation of the financial system that crypto might bring.
When Bitcoin first launched in January 2009, few imagined a single BTC would be worth over $65,000 (as was the case in November 2021) — or that a single digital currency would spur the creation of thousands more.
But it has. In roughly a decade-and-a-half, cryptocurrency has gone from being viewed as a financial fad to becoming a new market sector worth trillions.
But it’s not just the value of the coins and tokens themselves that has captured investors’ attention. Many forms of crypto are being created as part of larger digital platforms that are part of the DeFi — or decentralized finance — movement. There are new investments based on crypto, new channels for global transactions, and myriad other innovations, from smart contracts to non-fungible tokens.
Although cryptocurrencies are still largely unregulated (and their use as actual currency can be limited), there is a growing sense that a door has been opened to a vast number of new opportunities and technologies.
Recommended: Top 30 Cryptocurrencies by Market Cap
Bitcoin and Beyond
In this section:
Bitcoin: The OG Crypto
Bitcoin (BTC) was the first cryptocurrency to be created in 2009 by a person (or possibly a group) using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin was designed to be independent of any government or central bank. Instead it relies on blockchain technology, a decentralized public ledger that contains a digital record of every Bitcoin transaction.
In essence, Bitcoin established the basic system of cryptography and consensus (i.e., peer-to-peer) verification that is the foundation of most forms of crypto today.
Bitcoin History
In 2008, an individual or group of individuals going by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, published a paper called, “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.” It was not the first case ever made for a digital currency — there were many attempts in the decades prior — but this was perhaps the first to propose a “trustless” system of electronic transactions that would depend on a peer-to-peer system of verification via blockchain technology. This innovative approach also solved a persistent problem with digital currencies, the so-called double-spending problem — or the risk that digital currencies could be hacked and spent more than once.
Thanks to the research detailed in this paper, the first Bitcoins were created in January 2009, and the Bitcoin mining system was established. But the number of BTC in the market is capped. While there are more than 18.8 million Bitcoin tokens in circulation as of November 2021, worth over $1 trillion, the total limit is 21 million BTC.
How Bitcoin Works
Bitcoin miners use powerful computers to verify blocks of transactions and generate more Bitcoins — a complex, time-consuming process called proof-of-work (PoW). Each block of transactions is logged permanently on the blockchain, which helps to validate and secure each Bitcoin and the network as a whole. Owing to the vast number of computers or nodes on the Bitcoin blockchain, the PoW process ends up using so much energy that many people question whether it’s sustainable, as noted.
How To Get Bitcoin
ThThere are a few different ways to buy Bitcoin.
• Exchanges. As noted above, you can trade crypto — including Bitcoin — on centralized, decentralized, or hybrid exchanges. All you need is a crypto wallet for storing your Bitcoins.
• ATMs. There are many crypto ATMs scattered around the country where you can purchase Bitcoin. Unlike a traditional ATM, though, you can’t withdraw actual cash from these machines; they make digital only transactions via the blockchain.
• Brokerages. A growing number of brokers now allow you to buy and sell crypto, similar to any other security, including SoFi Invest®.
Pros and Cons of Bitcoin
Bitcoin may be the oldest and most popular form of crypto (by market share), but it has its pros and cons.
• Market capitalization. The crypto-verse comprises thousands of coins and tokens, but Bitcoin is the biggest of them all, with a market cap of more than $675 billion, as of November 2023. For context: Ethereum, the second-largest crypto by market cap, is around $225 billion.
• Volatility. Bitcoin is extremely volatile. Even within the course of a single day, the value can fluctuate by thousands. And on a broader scale, between January and November 2023, Bitcoin’s value was as high as $35,000, and as low as $16,000.
• Not SIPC insured. Most investors are insured by the SIPC up to $500,000 if a brokerage fails (or funds are stolen). But the SIPC doesn’t cover crypto.
• Regulation and usage. The inconsistency of regulations governing crypto has likely limited the use of these currencies around the world. That said, a number of companies do accept Bitcoin as payment — just do your research first.
More on Bitcoin:
Meet the Altcoins: Bitcoin Alternatives
“Altcoin” is a catch-all term for alternative cryptocurrencies to Bitcoin. There are many different altcoins — different types, and within those categories, different specific products. Litecoin is generally recognized as the first altcoin, but there are many, many others.
Ethereum (ETH)
Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum wasn’t created to support a currency — but as a programmable blockchain, to enable the network’s users to create, publish, monetize, and use applications (called dApps). Ether (ETH) was developed as a form of payment on the Ethereum platform. ETH is also generated using a proof-of-work system. But unlike Bitcoin, there is no limit to the number of ETHs that can be created. Ethereum has helped fuel many initial coin offerings (ICOs), and the Ethereum blockchain has also been behind the boom in non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
More: What Is Ethereum (ETH)?
Litecoin (LTC)
Litecoin was created from a fork in the Bitcoin blockchain, and it was designed to enable almost instant, near-zero cost payments that can be exchanged between people or institutions worldwide. Litecoin uses a proof-of-work system (PoW) to verify transactions on the blockchain, but owing to certain modifications it’s considered a “lighter,” faster version of Bitcoin. The main difference between Litecoin and Bitcoin is that Litecoin uses a mining algorithm called scrypt to enable faster transaction times.
More: What Is Litecoin (LTC)?
Polkadot (DOT)
Polkadot was co-founded by Gavin Wood, also a co-founder of Ethereum, to take the capabilities of a blockchain network to another level. The blockchain’s cryptocurrency is called “dot.”
Polkadot operates using two blockchains — the main “relay” network, where transactions are permanent, and a parallel network of user-created blockchains, called “parachains.” Parachains can be customized for myriad uses like building apps (they can even support other coins). What differentiates Polkadot from other blockchains is its core mission to solve the problem of interoperability by building so-called bridges between blockchains.
More: What Is Polkadot (DOT)?
Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
Bitcoin Cash was created in 2017, after some developers became frustrated with the slowdown of Bitcoin transactions (and subsequent higher fees) as Bitcoin’s 1MB data blocks filled up. So they executed a hard fork on the Bitcoin blockchain and came up with Bitcoin Cash, which has a much larger block size of 8MB. For users, that means faster processing speeds and lower fees.
More: What’s the Difference Between Bitcoin & Bitcoin Cash?
Dogecoin (DOGE)
Dogecoin (pronounced “dohj-coin”) is widely known as the first joke cryptocurrency; it was launched in 2013 as an altcoin and it runs on a blockchain network using a PoW system similar to Bitcoin and Ethereum. But the number of coins that can be mined are unlimited (versus the 21 million-coin cap on Bitcoin). Despite its place as one of the biggest coins by market cap, it trades for relatively low prices.
More: What Is Dogecoin (DOGE)?
Explore Our Crypto Glossary
Ready to expand your crypto knowledge? Check out our crypto glossary and get an in-depth look at some of the most popular cryptocurrencies and terminology.
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)
Non-Fungible Tokens, or NFTs, are cryptographic digital assets that have uniquely identifiable metadata and codes. An NFT’s data is stored on a blockchain like Ethereum (which supports many NFTs) or Tezos, ensuring that the NFT can’t be replicated or forged.
The tokens act as a representation for either digital or tangible items — like digital artwork, virtual real estate in a game, collectible Pokemon cards, or a tokenized version of the first-ever tweet, created by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (which sold for $3 million in March 2021).
TNFTs are being used in various industries, including art, travel, gaming, even supply chains and personal identification, thanks to the use of blockchain technology, which is designed to prevent duplication and fraud and takes issues like ownership and personal data security to a new level.
Ways to Invest in Cryptocurrency
As with any form of investing, there are various ways to invest in crypto. But the specifics of the crypto market — being wholly digital, decentralized and dependent on blockchain technology — means that investing in this realm can look quite different from trading stocks, bonds, and ETFs. That said, even crypto is inching into more traditional markets, as you’ll see when you explore the options below.
1. Trading Crypto
Perhaps the easiest way to invest in crypto is by trading, much as you would trade traditional securities like stocks, bonds or ETFs. You can open an account on a crypto exchange (see above); fund the account by connecting your bank or using a wire transfer of cash (different exchanges have different rules); and begin buying and selling the crypto of your choice.
2. Crypto Mining
Mining is another way to obtain crypto assets, but it typically requires a much bigger investment in terms of time and equipment. Crypto mining, also called proof-of-work, is a consensus mechanism used by many crypto platforms. It’s an intensive and highly competitive endeavor, whereby miners (basically the computers or “nodes” on the network) execute billions of complex calculations in order to verify a block of data on a given blockchain. When a miner is the first to confirm a block, they’re typically rewarded with coins.
Recommended: Is Crypto Mining Still Profitable in 2023?
3. Crypto Staking
An alternative to the proof-of-work model is proof-of-stake (PoS). This is also a consensus mechanism, but it employs a process that’s considered more passive and therefore more energy efficient compared with PoW. Staking crypto involves purchasing crypto and waiting to be selected as a validator on the network. Validators, similar to miners in a PoW system, validate blocks on the blockchain and can be rewarded with more coins.
4. Bitcoin ETFs
After a prolonged regulatory battle, in October 2021 the SEC began approving exchange-traded funds (ETFs) based on Bitcoin futures, opening the door to a wave of new investment opportunities. These ETFs only invest in Bitcoin futures, not actual Bitcoin assets, but investors should note that the rules and regulations surrounding crypto in the U.S. are always changing, and are likely to continue changing in the years ahead. Investors can also consider certain funds that are investing in blockchain-based technologies.
5. Crypto-based Stocks
As cryptocurrencies grow, so do the companies that provide hardware and other backend services. Investors can consider investing in companies that do large-scale crypto mining, cryptocurrency exchanges, or companies that use crypto as part of their business or payments model. Like the emerging crypto-based ETFs, crypto stocks are likely to provide investors with an increasing number of opportunities as this space expands.
Recommended: 8 Ways to Make Money With Cryptocurrency
Security in the Cryptoverse
One of the biggest concerns with cryptocurrency investing is how safe cryptocurrency is, as well as how the evolving world of regulations may impact different platforms and opportunities worldwide.
In this section:
How safe is crypto?
Cryptocurrency rules and regulations
How Safe is Crypto?
When investors ask about security and crypto, there are a few angles to this question. The first is that while crypto is secure in that it’s built on the principles of cryptography and peer-to-peer consensus, many cryptocurrencies — especially in the early days — have been beset by hacks, theft, and other forms of cyber attacks. These aren’t common, but they are a potential risk to consider.
Then there’s the issue of how to secure the crypto you buy. To store crypto securely, an investor needs to use a cryptocurrency wallet: either a digital wallet or a physical means of storage like a thumb drive. When using a crypto wallet, you will be relied on to store, remember, and secure a password that only you know. This is frequently an issue with crypto, as people who forget their passwords essentially have had their assets stranded. Crypto wallets may also be vulnerable to hacks.
Last, investors have to consider the overall risks of trading an investment as volatile as most cryptocurrencies can be. Crypto values can fluctuate by the day, the hour, and by the minute. And while that’s also true of some traditional investments, particularly equities, cryptocurrencies are so new that the sector as a whole doesn’t have much of a track record that investors can consider when making investment choices.
Cryptocurrency Rules and Regulations
While cryptocurrency has become much easier to buy and sell thanks to widespread interest in it from the general public, the cryptocurrency rules and regulations are less well established than they are for other types of assets or currencies like stocks or dollars. This is true in the U.S. and in countries around the world, many of which are still determining whether to sanction the use of cryptocurrencies at all, and if they do, how to regulate them.
As of late 2023, there are numerous federal agencies vying to regulate cryptocurrencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which regulates the trading of many financial assets. There have been several court cases and rules put forth by the federal government, but as it stands, and effectively, the SEC has split the cryptocurrency world into two, ruling that Bitcoin is a “payment mechanism and store of value,” i.e. not a security like a stock or bond – for now.
Many “tokens,” cryptocurrencies issued by companies to fund or pre-fund a business project, do fall under the SEC’s definition of “security” and thus face much tighter regulation. It’s wise to keep an eye on how regulatory issues are evolving in this space, as changes to existing rules can have a substantial impact on investments.
Learn more about investing in crypto:
Advanced Crypto Topics
Curious about crypto arbitrage? Thinking of day-trading crypto? If you’re already comfortable with blockchain technology and familiar with the ins and outs of how cryptocurrencies work, here are a few more advanced topics you can explore.