In Elsmere, a typical home is worth $171,900 and typical rent is $1,351 a month. Compared with all of Kenton County, the typical home value is 30% lower and typical rent is 26% higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $190,661 to $221,452.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Elsmere is in Kenton County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Kenton County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Elsmere fell 7.5%; in Kentucky, it barely changed.
2
Nearby, in Erlanger, the typical rent is $970: 28% less than in Elsmere ($1,351).
3
The typical home in Elsmere is worth $171,900,30% less than in Kenton County as a whole ($244,400).
4
The typical rent in Elsmere is $1,351 a month, 26% more than in Kenton County as a whole ($1,069).
5
The typical household income in Elsmere is $60,503,25% less than in Kenton County as a whole ($80,548).
6
Elsmere has the 6th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 76 cities in Kentucky with more than 5,000 people (61%).
Sources: Zillow (September 2026 data); U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in Elsmere
What homes there are in Elsmere, 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
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Elsmere
Kenton County
Kentucky
United States
Kind of home: Elsmere and its comparisons
Measure
Elsmere
Kenton County
Kentucky
United States
Detached house
75%
68%
68%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
4%
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
9%
7%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
17%
12%
19%
Mobile home
9%
2%
11%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 75% of homes here, against 68% in Kenton County.
In Elsmere there are many mobile homes: 9% of homes; in Kenton County, 2%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Elsmere
Kenton County
Kentucky
United States
Year built: Elsmere and its comparisons
Measure
Elsmere
Kenton County
Kentucky
United States
Before 1960
35%
34%
22%
26%
1960–1979
27%
24%
26%
24%
1980–1999
19%
22%
28%
25%
2000–2009
7%
11%
15%
14%
2010 or later
13%
9%
11%
11%
In Elsmere, half of the homes were built before 1970; in Kenton County, before 1974.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K14%
$100K–$200K52%
$200K–$300K31%
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Elsmere and its comparisons
Measure
Elsmere
Under $100K
14%
$100K–$200K
52%
$200K–$300K
31%
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49934%
$1,500–$1,99917%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Elsmere and its comparisons
Measure
Elsmere
Under $500
Unreliable
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
34%
$1,500–$1,999
17%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,356 a month
Kenton County: $1,584 a month
Without a mortgage
$494 a month
Kenton County: $580 a month
Owners with a mortgage
68%
Kenton County: 68%
Owning costs less in Elsmere: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,356 a month; in Kenton County, $1,584. Without one, $494.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Elsmere+54%
Kenton County+52%
Kentucky+46%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Elsmere+25%
Kenton County+32%
Kentucky+27%
United States+33%
Typical household income
ElsmereNo clear change
Kenton County+25%
Kentucky+26%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Elsmere and its comparisons
Measure
Elsmere
Kenton County
Kentucky
United States
Typical home value
+54%
+52%
+46%
+53%
Typical rent
+25%
+32%
+27%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+25%
+26%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, home values in Elsmere rose at about the same pace as in Kenton County: 54% against 52%.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Elsmere rose 25%, less than in Kenton County (32%).
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Elsmere and its comparisons
Measure
Elsmere
Kenton County
Kentucky
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
6.3%
4.6%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.4%
0.9%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
2.1%
2.0%
3.4%
People per household
2.67
2.52
2.43
2.53
Drive alone
75%
75%
77%
69%
Carpool
11%
7%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
3%
Work from home
10%
14%
10%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in Elsmere has 2.67 people, more than in Kenton County (2.52).
Carpooling is common in Elsmere: 11% of workers get to work that way, against 7% in Kenton County.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Elsmere?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Elsmere, worth $171,900, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 28% of the typical household income in Elsmere, which is $60,503 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $61,410 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Kenton County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Elsmere. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $6,017 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,433
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$168,786
Total interest
$242,843
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $2,903 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,412 a month
Tight
$1,412 to $1,815 a month
Your payment · 28%
Hard
more than $1,815 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Elsmere ($60,503 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,143
Property tax
$142
Home insurance
$72
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$76
You need at least $6,017 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,433; principal and interest $1,143.
The city and its county
Elsmere and Kenton County
Elsmere is in Kenton County, Kentucky. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Elsmere
Map of Kenton County, Kentucky, with Elsmere marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Elsmere
Kenton County
Other cities with a page
Elsmere's own numbers
Typical home value
$171,900
Typical monthly rent
$1,351
Typical yearly household income
$60,503
Households that own their home
75%
Effective property tax rate
0.99%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Kenton County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,442
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+53%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.9%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Kenton County.
A typical home in Elsmere is worth $171,900: 30% below the county and 16% below Kentucky. With the typical household income in Elsmere ($60,503 a year), a typical home costs 2.8 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Elsmere2.8 years
Kenton3.0 years
Kentucky3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Kenton County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Kenton County rose 96% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Kenton County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Kenton County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +5.1% +5.1% 2016
2017: +4.2% +4.2% 2017
2018: +5.7% +5.7% 2018
2019: +5.8% +5.8% 2019
2020: +5.0% +5.0% 2020
2021: +10.9% +10.9% 2021
2022: +15.3% +15.3% 2022
2023: +7.8% +7.8% 2023
2024: +6.8% +6.8% 2024
2025: +3.6% +3.6% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Kenton County, Kentucky and the United States
Period
County
Kentucky
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+3.6%
+3.9%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+53%
+50%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+96%
+84%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Elsmere next to Kenton County, Kentucky and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Elsmere$171,900
Kenton$244,400
Kentucky$205,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Elsmere$1,351
Kenton$1,069
Kentucky$967
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Elsmere$60,503
Kenton$80,548
Kentucky$63,726
United States$80,734
See the full table
Elsmere next to Kenton County and Kentucky
Measure
Elsmere
Kenton County
Kentucky
U.S.
Typical home value
$171,900 ▼30% below the county
$244,400
$205,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,351 ▲26% above the county
$1,069
$967
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$60,503 ▼25% below the county
$80,548
$63,726
$80,734
Households that own their home
75% ▲4 points above the county
71%
68%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,700 ▼29% below the county
$2,395
$1,544
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.99% ▲0.01 points above the county
0.98%
0.75%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
61% ▲17 points above the county
44%
45%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Kenton County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Elsmere
For a typical $171,900 home in Elsmere, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Elsmere's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,433a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$6,017
Cash to close
$11,174
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $76
Conventional, 5% down$1,401a month
Down payment
$8,595
Cash to close
$13,752
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $82
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,145a month
Down payment
$34,380
Cash to close
$39,537
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,304a month
Down payment
$25,785
Cash to close
$30,942
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Elsmere
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,433
$6,017
$168,786
7.18%
FHA MIP · $76
$11,174
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,401
$8,595
$163,305
7.18%
PMI · $82
$13,752
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,145
$34,380
$137,520
7.18%
None
$39,537
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,304
$25,785
$146,115
8.18%
None
$30,942
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Elsmere is $1,351 a month: 26% above the county. In Elsmere, 61% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Kenton County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,442 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $27.73 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Kenton County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,052
$20.23
$42,080
1 bedroom
$1,128
$21.69
$45,120
2 bedrooms
$1,442
$27.73
$57,680
3 bedrooms
$1,897
$36.48
$75,880
4 bedrooms
$2,141
$41.17
$85,640
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Elsmere
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Elsmere has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,380 in 41018 to $1,730 in 41042.
1 of the 2 is above the fair market rent for Kenton County ($1,442).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Elsmere, fiscal year 2027.
41018
$1,010
$1,080
$1,380
$1,820
$2,050
41042
$1,260
$1,350
$1,730
$2,280
$2,570
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
41018 $1,380$1,820
41042 $1,730$2,280
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Elsmere when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Kenton County; 2 say they serve in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Elsmere or Kenton County. The ones below are statewide in Kentucky: they work in Elsmere the same as in the rest of the state.
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).
No legal help resource on our list is for Elsmere or Kenton County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Elsmere and all of Kenton County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Elsmere?
The typical home value in Elsmere is $171,900, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Kenton County it is $244,400.
How much does it cost to rent in Elsmere?
Typical rent in Elsmere is $1,351 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Kenton County is $1,442.
What is the FHA loan limit in Elsmere?
Elsmere uses the FHA limit for all of Kenton County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Elsmere?
The typical homeowner in Elsmere pays $1,700 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.99% of the home’s value; in Kenton County, the rate is 0.98%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Elsmere?
There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Kenton County. 2 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
