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State

Data from November 2026

Housing , home prices, rents and assistance in Kentucky (2026)

In Kentucky, a typical home is worth $205,600 and the typical rent is $967 a month. The FHA limit for a one-unit home is $541,287 in every one of its counties. 19 HUD-approved counseling agencies serve Kentucky; 10 say they serve you in Spanish.

Most populous:

Typical home value by county

  • Under $115,700
  • $115,700–$134,700
  • $134,700–$166,700
  • $166,700–$207,700
  • $207,700 or more

Tap the map to see each county’s figure and open its page.

Typical home value
$205,600
38% less than the U.S.
U.S.: $332,700
Typical rent per month
$967
32% less than the U.S.
U.S.: $1,413
Typical household income
$63,726
21% less than the U.S.
U.S.: $80,734
FHA limit, 1 unit
$541,287
It is the same across Kentucky.
U.S.: $541,287 to $1,299,500
Property tax
0.75%
of value a year
The typical bill is $1,544 a year.
U.S.: 0.94%

Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD)

In short

Living in Kentucky

In Kentucky, a typical home is worth $205,600: 38% less than in the United States overall. Prices change a lot by county: from $67,400 in Letcher County to $393,100 in Oldham County. The typical household earns $63,726 a year and the typical rent is $967 a month; 45% of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 68% of households own their home, and the typical property tax is $1,544 a year (about 0.75% of value).

The conforming loan limit for a one-unit home is $832,750 across Kentucky. To pay HUD’s fair rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Kentucky ($1,155) without spending more than 30% of income, you need about $22.21 an hour working full time.

Source: Conforming loan limits (FHFA) Data from 2026 data Conforming loan limits (FHFA) Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD)

The essentials in Kentucky

More on property tax

  • Homestead exemption for owners 65 or older or totally disabled

    For the 2025 and 2026 tax periods, the maximum homestead exemption is $49,100. By law, the amount is recalculated every two years to adjust for inflation, so it changes. To qualify, you must be at least 65 years old during the tax period, or be classified as totally disabled by any public or private retirement system. The home must also be owned, occupied and maintained as your personal residence on the January 1 assessment date.

    Kentucky Department of Revenue · Verified October 24, 2026

  • What the homestead application asks for to prove age

    The State's homestead exemption application (Form 62A350) says the applicant's date of birth is established with a document such as: a birth certificate or birth registration; confirmation or baptismal records; a driver's license or state-issued photo ID; a Medical Assistance Card carrying an A or J prefix to the Social Security number; a passport; the red, white and blue Medicare card issued by Social Security; or school records. The form marks the birth certificate or registration, the driver's license or photo ID and the passport as primary documentation.

    Kentucky Department of Revenue, Form 62A350 · Verified October 24, 2026

  • Deadline: application to the county PVA by December 31

    The application is filed by December 31 of the year for which you seek the exemption, with the property valuation administrator (PVA) of the county where the home is located. You must also own, occupy and maintain the home as a taxable interest as of January 1 of that tax year.

    Kentucky Department of Revenue, Form 62A350 · Verified October 24, 2026

  • Appealing the assessment: first a conference with the PVA, then the appeals board

    To appeal your property's assessment, you first request a conference with the county property valuation administrator (PVA) or a designated deputy. The conference is held before or during the inspection period set by law (KRS 133.045), or during an extension. If you still disagree, you may appeal to the board of assessment appeals by filing in person or sending a letter to the county clerk stating your reasons, the property and your opinion of its fair cash value. The deadline is no later than one workday after the inspection period ends, or the last day of an extension.

    Kentucky General Assembly (Kentucky Revised Statutes) · Verified October 24, 2026

  • State real estate transfer tax

    The law charges 50 cents for each $500 (or fraction) of the value declared in the deed, imposed on the seller (grantor). In a sale, the value is the full price paid or to be paid, including any liens on the property. The county clerk computes and collects the tax before accepting the deed for recording.

    Kentucky General Assembly (Kentucky Revised Statutes) · Verified October 24, 2026

  • $4 state tax on each mortgage and each conveyance

    State law charges a flat $4 tax on each mortgage (and other security documents) and $4 on each conveyance of real property. Each county clerk collects it before the document is filed. The law does not say which party pays it.

    Kentucky General Assembly (Kentucky Revised Statutes) · Verified October 24, 2026

The homes here

Housing in Kentucky

What homes there are in Kentucky, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

The detached house rules in Kentucky: 68% of homes, more than in the U.S. (61%).

In Kentucky there are many mobile homes: 11% of homes; in the U.S., 6%.

Year built

In Kentucky, half of the homes were built before 1982; in the U.S., before 1980.

There is more room for a big family here: 65% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, against 61% in the U.S..

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

The largest group of owner-occupied homes in Kentucky is worth between $100K and $200K: 28%.

Monthly rent with utilities

The largest group of rented homes in Kentucky pays between $500 and $999 a month: 42%.

With a mortgage

$1,433 a month

United States: $1,963 a month

Without a mortgage

$469 a month

United States: $638 a month

Owners with a mortgage

56%

United States: 61%

In Kentucky, 56% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,433 a month, against $1,963 in the U.S.. Without one it drops to $469.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Homes in Kentucky gained value more slowly than in the U.S.: 46% since 2015–2019, against 53%.

The typical rent in Kentucky rose 27% over the same time; in the U.S., it rose 33%.

To compare: typical income in Kentucky rose 26%; the home, +46%; the rent, +27%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureKentuckyUnited States
Rental vacancy 4.6%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy 0.9%0.9%
More than one person per room 2.0%3.4%
People per household 2.432.53
Drive alone 77%69%
Carpool 9%9%
Public transit 1%3%
Walk or bike 2%3%
Work from home 10%15%
Other means 1%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in the U.S., the rental vacancy rate in Kentucky is 4.6%.

More than one person per room: that is how 2.0% of households in Kentucky live, less than in the U.S. (3.4%).

By size, households in Kentucky look like those in the U.S.: 2.43 people on average.

To get to work, 77% of workers in Kentucky drive alone; in the U.S., 69%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Places

Explore the counties in Kentucky

Sort by any column or type a name. The 25 most populous are shown; the button reveals the rest.

See the counties page

Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD)

Calculator

Work out your payment in Kentucky

Start from the typical home value in Kentucky, $205,600, and this week’s average rate. Move the price and the down payment to see your monthly payment. If you already visited a county, the calculator uses its numbers.

More math for Kentucky

$
%

Estimated monthly payment

$1,673

FHA loan over 30 years, with estimated taxes and insurance.

See the full calculation

Prices and risks

Three official measures that help you decide: how much home prices have changed according to FHFA, how prices compare with the national average according to BEA, and how many homes sit in a flood zone according to FEMA.

Home prices

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in Kentucky rose 84% in the 10 years through 2025.

Price change each year

Period Kentucky United States
In 2025 +3.9% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +50% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +84% +85%

The index follows the prices of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals on loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual state indexes experimental.

Source: FHFA House Price Index (HPI) Data from 2025 data FHFA House Price Index (HPI)

Cost of living

How expensive are prices here?

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), in 2024 prices in Kentucky were 10% lower than the U.S. average. Housing rents were 36% lower than nationwide.

Category Kentucky United States Versus the U.S.
All prices Consumer goods and services 90.2 100.0 10% less
Housing rents What renters pay 64.3 100.6 36% less
Water, power and gas Water, sewer, electricity and gas 75.3 98.4 23% less
Goods Food, clothing, transportation and more 96.0 99.6 4% less
Other services Services other than rent 97.3 100.1 3% less

BEA expresses each index as a percentage of the average U.S. price level: a higher number means higher prices, and a lower one, lower prices.

Source: Regional price parities (BEA) Data from 2024 data Regional price parities (BEA)

Flooding

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in Kentucky 3.5% of homes (60,469) are in a high-risk flood zone. Of those homes, 19% have NFIP flood insurance.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. 44 CFR 59.1
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. 42 U.S.C. 4012a
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. FEMA, FloodSmart
Kentucky United States
Homes in a high-risk zone 3.5% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 19% 48%
All homes with NFIP insurance 0.8% 2.9%

The NFIP is the federal flood insurance program; private policies are not counted. FEMA counts homes with its National Structure Inventory. We add up the county figures FEMA publishes.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map Source: Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) As of August 3, 2026 Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA)

Places

Cities in Kentucky

The 15 most populous cities with a page. Each one compares its prices and rents with its county.

See the other cities (71)

    Help to buy

    Assistance programs in Kentucky

    Our list has 1 official program that helps you buy in Kentucky. Each card says what kind of help it gives and when we checked its official page.

    See the program
    1. KHC Down Payment Assistance (DPA)

      Kentucky state corporation loan of up to $12,500 for the down payment and closing costs, repaid over 15 years as a second loan, for buyers who take a KHC mortgage. Offered by Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC).

      Repayable Verified November 5, 2026

    Who runs the help in Kentucky

    • Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC)

      Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) says on its homebuyers page that it offers affordable mortgages and help with down payments. It also says it has dedicated partners and resources to guide you to your next home.

      The agency's official page · Verified October 24, 2026

    Tenant rights

    Tenant rights in Kentucky

    Kentucky law answers 1 of these 5 questions, each answer with its citation. Where it says “Data not available”, we have not verified it against the source yet.

    A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

    See every right

    1. How much can they charge for a deposit?

      Data not available

    2. When must they return my deposit?

      Data not available

    3. If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?

      If you do not pay rent when due, the landlord may give you written notice that you have not paid and that the rental agreement will end if you do not pay. If you do not pay within 7 days after that notice, the landlord may end the rental agreement. This rule is part of Kentucky's URLTA, which applies where your city or county adopted it.

      KRS 383.660(2)

    4. How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?

      Data not available

    5. Are there limits on late fees?

      Data not available

    A father holds his baby and his young son by a white picket fence.

    Help and advice

    Who can help you in Kentucky?

    You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counselor gives independent advice on buying, renting, late payments and credit, often free or at low cost.

    19 HUD-approved counseling agencies serve Kentucky; 10 say they serve you in Spanish. Choose your county to see the closest ones with their phone number.

    117 public housing authorities run Section 8 vouchers and public housing in Kentucky.

    See all 19 agencies See the housing agencies

    Where to file a complaint in Kentucky

    • Where to file a housing discrimination complaint

      The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights (KCHR) takes discrimination complaints. You first complete an inquiry form at kchr.ky.gov. An intake officer reviews it and tells you whether the Commission can file a complaint on your behalf; if so, the Commission prepares the complaint for you to sign and have notarized. A housing discrimination or financial transaction complaint must be filed within one year of the incident. A complaint is filed only when the Commission timely receives your signed and notarized complaint.

      Kentucky Commission on Human Rights (About Us brochure, August 2025) · Verified October 24, 2026

    • Complaints about your homeowners or other insurance

      The Kentucky Department of Insurance accepts complaints. Its Division of Consumer Protection investigates consumer complaints about private health, life, auto, home and general liability insurance. A consumer complaint is filed by a consumer, provider or their representative who is having difficulty settling a situation with an insurance company, agent or adjuster. The printable complaint form is also available in Spanish.

      Kentucky Department of Insurance · Verified October 24, 2026

    • Kentucky FAIR Plan: home insurance if you cannot get it in the regular market

      The Kentucky FAIR (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) Plan, created in 1968, is an association that operates as an insurance company. It makes homeowners and other property insurance available to people unable to buy it through the voluntary markets. Almost anyone can use it if the property meets basic fire, loss prevention and safety standards. The Department of Insurance brochure says most people can get broader coverage and often a better rate in the competitive market. Applications must be submitted by licensed insurance agents.

      Kentucky Department of Insurance (KAIP and FAIR Plans brochure, May 2022) · Verified October 24, 2026

    Guides

    Guides for you in Kentucky

    We picked them with the numbers of Kentucky. Each one says why it can help you.

    Frequently asked questions about housing in Kentucky

    What is the FHA limit in Kentucky in 2026?

    In Kentucky, the FHA limit for a one-unit home is $541,287 in every one of its counties.

    How much does a typical home cost in Kentucky?

    The typical home value in Kentucky is $205,600 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). The highest is in Oldham County ($393,100) and the lowest in Letcher County ($67,400).

    How much does it cost to rent in Kentucky?

    The typical rent in Kentucky is $967 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census).

    How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in Kentucky?

    At HUD's average fair market rent in Kentucky ($1,155, Fiscal year 2027), about $22.21 an hour working full time, so rent stays under 30% of income.

    How much is property tax in Kentucky?

    The typical property tax in Kentucky is $1,544 a year, about 0.75% of home value (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census).

    Where can I find free help in Spanish to buy a home in Kentucky?

    There are 19 HUD-approved counseling agencies in Kentucky; 10 say they serve you in Spanish. Each county page lists the closest ones with their phone number.

    Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); Regional price parities (2024 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).