Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Boyd County, Kentucky
Boyd County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,006 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $849 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $19.35 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,006
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 13% less than in Kentucky
- Typical rent
- $849
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 12% less than in Kentucky
- Wage needed
- $19.35
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $40,240 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 48%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 5% more than in Kentucky
Only here
Renting in Boyd County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Among the neighboring counties, Elliott County has the lowest typical rent ($432), 49% below the $849 in Boyd County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Boyd County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $858 | $16.50 | $34,320 |
| 1 bedroom | $864 | $16.62 | $34,560 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,006 | $19.35 | $40,240 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,287 | $24.75 | $51,480 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,393 | $26.79 | $55,720 |
HUD area: Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 6 ZIP codes in Boyd County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,000 in 41102 to $1,030 in 41101. 1 ZIP code is above the county's fair market rent ($1,006).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 41101 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $880 | $880 | $1,030 | $1,320 | $1,430 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41102 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $860 | $860 | $1,000 | $1,280 | $1,390 |
| 41129 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $850 | $860 | $1,000 | $1,280 | $1,390 |
| 41129 | Lawrence County, KY | $850 | $860 | $1,000 | $1,280 | $1,390 |
| 41168 | Carter County, KY | $840 | $850 | $1,000 | $1,320 | $1,400 |
| 41168 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $840 | $850 | $1,000 | $1,320 | $1,400 |
- 41101 · Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $1,030$1,320
- 41102 · Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $1,000$1,280
- 41129 · Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $1,000$1,280
- 41129 · Lawrence County, KY $1,000$1,280
- 41168 · Carter County, KY $1,000$1,320
- 41168 · Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $1,000$1,320
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Boyd County, 48% of renter households are in that position; in Kentucky, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
48%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
5,760 households rent in Boyd County
- Spend half or more of their income 25%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 23%
- Spend less than 30% 52%
Compared with the state and the country
- Boyd 48%
- Kentucky 45%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Boyd County
HUD lists 13 properties with homes for low-income households in Boyd County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 3
- HUD-assisted
- 7
- public housing
- 3
1,424 homes in all; 1,214 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Brucecrest HUD-assisted 1709 Clements Dr, Ashland 41101 310 low-income homes · For families · (606) 329-0797
- Scope Towers II Public housing 3101 Winchester Ave, Ashland 41101 278 homes, 262 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of Ashland · Average payment: $329 a month · Average wait: 7 months · (606) 325-7112
- Grandview Manor Public housing 210 24th St, Catlettsburg 41129 150 homes, 149 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of Catlettsburg · Average payment: $419 a month · Average wait: 24 months · (606) 739-6851
- Debord Terrace II Public housing 917 Kilgore Dr, Ashland 41101 103 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Ashland · Average payment: $379 a month · Average wait: 6 months · (606) 325-7112
- Ashland Terrace HUD-assisted 3100 Roberts Dr, Ashland 41102 100 homes, 99 low-income · For families · (606) 325-2522
- Unity Square HUD-assisted 506 9th St, Ashland 41101 70 low-income homes · For older adults · (606) 329-2187
- Bruceglow Apts HUD-assisted 1709 Clements Dr, Ashland 41101 64 low-income homes · For older adults · (606) 325-1102
- Gla-Low HUD-assisted 1200 Stella Dr, Ashland 41102 152 homes, 60 low-income · For families · (606) 329-0797
- Harbor Hill Tax credit (LIHTC) Landsdowne Drive, Ashland 41102 34 low-income homes · 1 bd: 15 · 2 bd: 11 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2009
- Evergreen Square Tax credit (LIHTC) Marcia Street & 2634 Moore Street, Ashland 41105 30 low-income homes · 1 bd: 15 · 3 bd: 1 · 4 bd: 14 · In service since 2017
- Evergreen Square of Ashland HUD-assisted 451 Marcia St, Ashland 41101 30 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (606) 329-8588
- AHP, Inc. HUD-assisted 2115 Moore St, Ashland 41101 3 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (606) 329-8588, ext. 4591
- Creek Bridge Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Roberts Drive, Ashland 41102 100 homes · 1 bd: 46 · 2 bd: 18 · 3 bd: 30 · 4 bd: 6 · In service since 2012 · For families
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Boyd County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 3 agencies serve in Boyd County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
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You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
-
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
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Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
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If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
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When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $17,500 | $29,200 | $46,700 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $33,350 | $53,350 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $37,500 | $60,000 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $41,650 | $66,650 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $45,000 | $72,000 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $48,350 | $77,350 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $51,650 | $82,650 |
| 8 people | $55,000 | $55,000 | $88,000 |
Area median income: $83,300. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $772 – $944
- 1 bedroom $778 – $950
- 2 bedrooms $905 – $1,107
- 3 bedrooms $1,158 – $1,416
- 4 bedrooms $1,254 – $1,532
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- Ashland Planning and CDA Section 8 vouchers · 643 vouchers (606) 385-3317 Ashland Planning and CDA: sect8@ashlandky.org
- Housing Authority of Ashland Public housing · 365 public housing units (606) 325-7112 Housing Authority of Ashland: mmiller@ashlandha.org
- Housing Authority of Catlettsburg Public housing · 149 public housing units (606) 739-6851 Housing Authority of Catlettsburg: haccheri@windstream.net
Housing agencies in Kentucky Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Kentucky
What Kentucky law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 7 days
- KRS 383.660(2)
- Only a court order can remove youKRS 383.690
- Protection from retaliationKRS 383.705(1)
- Repair and deduct from the rentKRS 383.635(1)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Boyd County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Frontier Housing , Inc.
259 Old Flemingsburg Rd, Morehead · 43 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 6 more
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Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky
120 N Front Ave, Prestonsburg · 48 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Homelessness services
- and 2 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Boyd County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Kentucky, the average home bill was $134 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$2,012
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,006
- Security deposit
- $1,006
- Total
- $2,012
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Boyd County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $858; 1 bedroom: $864; 2 bedrooms: $1,006; 3 bedrooms: $1,287; 4 bedrooms: $1,393. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Boyd County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,006) without spending more than 30% of income takes $19.35 an hour full time, or $40,240 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Boyd County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $41,650 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Boyd County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $905 and $1,107 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Boyd County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,000 in 41102 to $1,030 in 41101. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Boyd County?
HUD lists 13 properties with homes for low-income households in Boyd County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Boyd County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Boyd County, 48% of renter households are in that position; in Kentucky, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).