Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Clark County, Kentucky
Clark County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,416 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $938 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $27.23 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,416
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 23% more than in Kentucky
- Typical rent
- $938
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 3% less than in Kentucky
- Wage needed
- $27.23
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $56,640 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 51%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 13% more than in Kentucky
Only here
Renting in Clark County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Nearby, in Estill County, the typical rent is $711: 24% less than in Clark County ($938).
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 Clark 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)
According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in Clark County was $1,431 a month in September 2026: 6.2% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $986 | $18.96 | $39,440 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,205 | $23.17 | $48,200 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,416 | $27.23 | $56,640 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,948 | $37.46 | $77,920 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,108 | $40.54 | $84,320 |
HUD area: Lexington-Fayette, KY MSA. 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 2 ZIP codes in Clark County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
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)
| 40391 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | $820 | $1,000 | $1,180 | $1,620 | $1,760 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40391 | Montgomery County, KY | $820 | $1,000 | $1,180 | $1,620 | $1,760 |
- 40391 · Lexington-Fayette, KY $1,180$1,620
- 40391 · Montgomery County, KY $1,180$1,620
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 Clark County, 51% 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.
51%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
4,415 households rent in Clark County
- Spend half or more of their income 21%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 30%
- Spend less than 30% 49%
Compared with the state and the country
- Clark 51%
- Kentucky 45%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Clark County
HUD lists 15 properties with homes for low-income households in Clark 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)
- 7
- HUD-assisted
- 6
- public housing
- 2
919 homes in all; 918 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Memorial Park Public housing 13 Memorial Park, Winchester 40391 200 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Winchester · Average payment: $385 a month · Average wait: 4 months · (859) 744-2960
- Smith Manor & Sequoia Village Public housing 204 C G Stephenson Dr, Winchester 40391 200 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Winchester · Average payment: $439 a month · Average wait: 5 months · Homes at several sites · (859) 744-2960
- Westwood Apartments HUD-assisted 900 Westwood Dr, Winchester 40391 96 low-income homes · For families · (859) 745-2808
- Beverly P White Towers HUD-assisted 4 N Maple St, Winchester 40391 90 low-income homes · For older adults · (859) 744-0521
- Cambridge Square HUD-assisted 101 C. G. Stephenson DR, Winchester 40391 62 homes, 61 low-income · For families · (859) 744-9655
- Brown Proctor Tax credit (LIHTC) South Main Street, Winchester 40391 49 low-income homes · 1 bd: 30 · 4 bd: 19 · In service since 2019 · For older adults
- Brown-Proctor Apartments HUD-assisted 108 S Main St, Winchester 40391 49 low-income homes · For older adults · (859) 744-0323
- Apple Ridge Single Family Homes L.P. Tax credit (LIHTC) Acadia Way, Winchester 40391 40 low-income homes · 4 bd: 40 · In service since 2002
- Andover Estates - Fka Winchester S. F. Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) Andover DR., Winchester 40391 30 low-income homes · 4 bd: 30 · In service since 2000
- Winchester Hills Apartments I Tax credit (LIHTC) Hubbard RD., Winchester 40391 24 low-income homes · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1997
- Phoenix Apartments HUD-assisted 50 N Main St, Winchester 40391 21 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (859) 745-6516
- Fort Estill Subdivision Tax credit (LIHTC) Buffalo Trace, Winchester 40391 19 low-income homes · 3 bd: 32 · In service since 1999
- Smith P. Kerr Building Tax credit (LIHTC) North Main ST., Winchester 40391 18 low-income homes · 2 bd: 15 · 3 bd: 3 · In service since 2005 · For older adults
- Oliver School Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Oliver Street, Winchester 40391 11 low-income homes · 1 bd: 3 · 2 bd: 5 · 3 bd: 3 · In service since 2009 · For families
- Bluegrass Steeplechase Estates HUD-assisted 250 Maryland Ave, Winchester 40391 10 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (859) 253-1686
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 Clark County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in Clark County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
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)
-
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)
-
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
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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 | $21,500 | $35,750 | $57,200 |
| 2 people | $24,550 | $40,850 | $65,400 |
| 3 people | $27,600 | $45,950 | $73,550 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $51,050 | $81,700 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $55,150 | $88,250 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $59,250 | $94,800 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $63,350 | $101,350 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $67,400 | $107,850 |
Area median income: $102,100. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Lexington-Fayette, KY MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $887 – $1,085
- 1 bedroom $1,085 – $1,326
- 2 bedrooms $1,274 – $1,558
- 3 bedrooms $1,753 – $2,143
- 4 bedrooms $1,897 – $2,319
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
- Housing Authority of Winchester Public housing · 400 public housing units (859) 744-2960 Housing Authority of Winchester: rhayes@corbinhousing.us
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 Clark County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Apprisen - Lexington
3499 Blazer Pkwy, Lexington · 16 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 2 more
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Community Ventures Corporation
1450 N Broadway, Lexington · 19 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 5 more
-
Reach, Inc.
733 Red Mile Rd, Lexington · 21 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 5 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Clark 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
$2,832
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,416
- Security deposit
- $1,416
- Total
- $2,832
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 Clark County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $986; 1 bedroom: $1,205; 2 bedrooms: $1,416; 3 bedrooms: $1,948; 4 bedrooms: $2,108. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Clark County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,416) without spending more than 30% of income takes $27.23 an hour full time, or $56,640 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Clark County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $51,050 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 Clark 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 $1,274 and $1,558 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
How many low-income apartments are there in Clark County?
HUD lists 15 properties with homes for low-income households in Clark 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 Clark County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Clark County, 51% of renter households are in that position; in Kentucky, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).