Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Grant County, Kentucky
Grant County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,146 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $862 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $22.04 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,146
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- About the same as in Kentucky
- Typical rent
- $862
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 11% less than in Kentucky
- Wage needed
- $22.04
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $45,840 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 35%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 22% less than in Kentucky
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 Grant 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 | $840 | $16.15 | $33,600 |
| 1 bedroom | $899 | $17.29 | $35,960 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,146 | $22.04 | $45,840 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,365 | $26.25 | $54,600 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,692 | $32.54 | $67,680 |
HUD area: Grant County, KY 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 13 ZIP codes in Grant County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,080 in 41097 to $1,210 in 41052. 11 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,146).
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)
| 41010 | Grant County, KY | $800 | $980 | $1,150 | $1,570 | $1,750 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41010 | Harrison County, KY | $800 | $980 | $1,150 | $1,570 | $1,750 |
| 41010 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | $800 | $980 | $1,150 | $1,570 | $1,750 |
| 41010 | Owen County, KY | $800 | $980 | $1,150 | $1,570 | $1,750 |
| 41030 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $880 | $940 | $1,200 | $1,460 | $1,780 |
| 41030 | Grant County, KY | $880 | $940 | $1,200 | $1,460 | $1,780 |
| 41035 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $840 | $900 | $1,150 | $1,370 | $1,690 |
| 41035 | Grant County, KY | $840 | $900 | $1,150 | $1,370 | $1,690 |
| 41035 | Owen County, KY | $840 | $900 | $1,150 | $1,370 | $1,690 |
| 41052 | Grant County, KY | $880 | $950 | $1,210 | $1,530 | $1,770 |
| 41052 | Owen County, KY | $880 | $950 | $1,210 | $1,530 | $1,770 |
| 41097 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $790 | $850 | $1,080 | $1,300 | $1,600 |
| 41097 | Grant County, KY | $790 | $850 | $1,080 | $1,300 | $1,600 |
- 41010 · Grant County, KY $1,150$1,570
- 41010 · Harrison County, KY $1,150$1,570
- 41010 · Lexington-Fayette, KY $1,150$1,570
- 41010 · Owen County, KY $1,150$1,570
- 41030 · Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $1,200$1,460
- 41030 · Grant County, KY $1,200$1,460
- 41035 · Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $1,150$1,370
- 41035 · Grant County, KY $1,150$1,370
- 41035 · Owen County, KY $1,150$1,370
- 41052 · Grant County, KY $1,210$1,530
- 41052 · Owen County, KY $1,210$1,530
- 41097 · Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $1,080$1,300
- 41097 · Grant County, KY $1,080$1,300
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 Grant County, 35% 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.
35%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
2,294 households rent in Grant County
- Spend half or more of their income 13%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 22%
- Spend less than 30% 65%
Compared with the state and the country
- Grant 35%
- Kentucky 45%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Grant County
HUD lists 10 properties with homes for low-income households in Grant 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)
- 6
- HUD-assisted
- 2
- public housing
- 2
380 homes in all; 375 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Locust Ridge HUD-assisted 275 McCoy Rd, Dry Ridge 41035 72 low-income homes · For families · (859) 823-4481
- Locust Ridge Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Mccoy Road, Dry Ridge 41035 72 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2018 · For families
- Meadowview Estates Public housing 342 Meadowview Cir, Dry Ridge 41035 66 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Dry Ridge · Average payment: $482 a month · Average wait: 9 months · (859) 824-4432
- Helton Heights Public housing 98 High St, Williamstown 41097 30 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Williamstown · Average payment: $415 a month · (859) 823-1511
- Maple Ridge Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Michigan Ave., Dry Ridge 41035 26 low-income homes · 1 bd: 5 · 2 bd: 21 · In service since 1993 · For families
- Crittenden Place Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Vincent BLVD, Crittenden 41030 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1997
- Warsaw Place Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Warsaw RD., Dry Ridge 41035 24 low-income homes · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 1997
- Helton Pointe Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Helton Heights, Williamstown 41097 23 low-income homes · 2 bd: 6 · 3 bd: 17 · In service since 2015 · For families
- Aireshire Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Vincent RD., Crittenden 41030 20 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · In service since 1992 · For older adults
- Helton Pointe Apartments HUD-assisted 514 Helton Heights, Williamstown 41097 23 homes, 18 low-income · For families · (859) 823-1511
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 Grant County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 2 agencies serve in Grant 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)
-
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 | $18,300 | $30,450 | $48,750 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $34,800 | $55,700 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $39,150 | $62,650 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $43,500 | $69,600 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $47,000 | $75,200 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $50,500 | $80,750 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $53,950 | $86,350 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $57,450 | $91,900 |
Area median income: $87,000. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Grant County, KY HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $756 – $924
- 1 bedroom $809 – $989
- 2 bedrooms $1,031 – $1,261
- 3 bedrooms $1,229 – $1,502
- 4 bedrooms $1,523 – $1,861
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 Dry Ridge Public housing · 66 public housing units (859) 824-4432 Housing Authority of Dry Ridge: director@drhousing.org
- Housing Authority of Williamstown Public housing · 30 public housing units (859) 823-1511 Housing Authority of Williamstown: hawdirector@outlook.com
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 Grant County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
-
Brighton Center, Incorporated
799 Ann Street, Newport · 31 miles away · Spanish
Also serves in Portuguese.
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 9 more
-
Community Ventures Corporation
1450 N Broadway, Lexington · 41 miles away
- 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 Grant 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
$2,292
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,146
- Security deposit
- $1,146
- Total
- $2,292
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 Grant County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $840; 1 bedroom: $899; 2 bedrooms: $1,146; 3 bedrooms: $1,365; 4 bedrooms: $1,692. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Grant County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,146) without spending more than 30% of income takes $22.04 an hour full time, or $45,840 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Grant County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $43,500 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 Grant 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 $1,031 and $1,261 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Grant County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,080 in 41097 to $1,210 in 41052. 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 Grant County?
HUD lists 10 properties with homes for low-income households in Grant 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 Grant County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Grant County, 35% of renter households are in that position; in Kentucky, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).