Cost of Living in Kentucky
16 cities • 1,464,880 total population • 2026 Data
$61,805
Avg. Median Income
-20% vs national
$998
Avg. Median Rent
-26% vs national
$202,613
Avg. Home Value
-40% vs national
4.6%
Avg. Unemployment
Overview
Kentucky has 16 cities with populations over 25,000, totaling 1,464,880 residents. The average median household income across these cities is $61,805, which is 20% below the national median.
Rent averages $998 per month, and the average home value is $202,613. The largest city is Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), while Henderson offers the lowest rent and Jeffersontown has the highest.
Most Affordable Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Rent | Median Income | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henderson | $788 | $47,176 | $151,400 |
| 2 | Paducah | $817 | $51,243 | $164,600 |
| 3 | Richmond | $860 | $48,223 | $205,900 |
| 4 | Hopkinsville | $869 | $47,428 | $140,200 |
| 5 | Elizabethtown | $876 | $56,250 | $223,200 |
Most Expensive Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Rent | Median Income | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeffersontown | $1,253 | $78,185 | $236,800 |
| 2 | Independence | $1,204 | $98,653 | $240,500 |
| 3 | Georgetown | $1,199 | $78,373 | $244,200 |
| 4 | Florence | $1,199 | $68,508 | $196,200 |
| 5 | Lexington-Fayette urban county | $1,101 | $67,631 | $272,100 |
Highest Income Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Income | Median Rent | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Independence | $98,653 | $1,204 | 29,024 |
| 2 | Georgetown | $78,373 | $1,199 | 38,206 |
| 3 | Jeffersontown | $78,185 | $1,253 | 28,988 |
| 4 | Florence | $68,508 | $1,199 | 32,334 |
| 5 | Lexington-Fayette urban county | $67,631 | $1,101 | 321,122 |
All Cities in Kentucky
| City | Population | Income | Rent | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) | 627,210 | $64,731 | $1,069 | $221,500 |
| Lexington-Fayette urban county | 321,122 | $67,631 | $1,101 | $272,100 |
| Bowling Green | 73,638 | $48,419 | $948 | $232,100 |
| Owensboro | 60,112 | $53,295 | $900 | $162,900 |
| Covington | 40,902 | $58,814 | $949 | $167,900 |
| Georgetown | 38,206 | $78,373 | $1,199 | $244,200 |
| Richmond | 35,498 | $48,223 | $860 | $205,900 |
| Florence | 32,334 | $68,508 | $1,199 | $196,200 |
| Elizabethtown | 31,870 | $56,250 | $876 | $223,200 |
| Nicholasville | 31,625 | $67,514 | $996 | $210,700 |
| Hopkinsville | 31,011 | $47,428 | $869 | $140,200 |
| Independence | 29,024 | $98,653 | $1,204 | $240,500 |
| Jeffersontown | 28,988 | $78,185 | $1,253 | $236,800 |
| Frankfort | 28,452 | $54,438 | $935 | $171,600 |
| Henderson | 27,994 | $47,176 | $788 | $151,400 |
| Paducah | 26,894 | $51,243 | $817 | $164,600 |
Data Sources
All data from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. State averages calculated from cities with population over 25,000.