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Renting · Section 8

Data from November 2026

Renting in Knox County, Kentucky

Knox County has a HUD fair market rent of $909 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $681 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $17.48 an hour, full time.

Figure your move-in cash Section 8 here
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Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$909
a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
21% less than in Kentucky
Typical rent
$681
a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
30% less than in Kentucky
Wage needed
$17.48
an hour, 2 bedrooms
Or $36,360 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
Rent-burdened households
47%
spend 30% or more of income on rent
3% more than in Kentucky

Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates

Only here

Renting in Knox County: what sets it apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Knox County has the 4th lowest typical household income of the 120 counties in Kentucky ($32,527).

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 Knox 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)

Fair market rent and wage needed To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).
Size Fair rent per month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $650 $12.50 $26,000
1 bedroom $835 $16.06 $33,400
2 bedrooms $909 $17.48 $36,360
3 bedrooms $1,179 $22.67 $47,160
4 bedrooms $1,519 $29.21 $60,760

HUD area: Knox County, KY. 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 19 ZIP codes in Knox County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.

For 2 bedrooms they run from $910 in 40771 to $940 in 40921. 19 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($909).

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)

Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)

Rent burden

How many households spend too much

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Knox County, 47% 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.

47%

of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.

4,061 households rent in Knox County

  • Spend half or more of their income 31%
  • Spend 30% or more, but less than half 15%
  • Spend less than 30% 53%

Compared with the state and the country

  • Knox 47%
  • Kentucky 45%
  • United States 51%

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Knox County

HUD lists 14 properties with homes for low-income households in Knox 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)
4
HUD-assisted
8
public housing
2

791 homes in all; 780 of them low-income, according to HUD.

  • Vermillian Village Public housing 129 Vanbeber Ct, Corbin 40701 155 homes, 154 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of Corbin · Average payment: $338 a month · Average wait: 10 months · (606) 528-5104
  • Churchill CTS Public housing 100 Minton Dr, Barbourville 40906 141 homes, 140 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of Barbourville · Average payment: $389 a month · Average wait: 7 months · (606) 546-3567
  • College Heights HUD-assisted 691 N Allison Ave, Barbourville 40906 96 low-income homes · For older adults · (606) 546-4047
  • Baptist Housing HUD-assisted 704 Engineer St, Corbin 40701 65 homes, 64 low-income · For older adults · (606) 523-1171
  • Chapel House-Corbin HUD-assisted 1375 Master St, Corbin 40701 49 homes, 48 low-income · For older adults · (606) 258-2528
  • KCEOC Corbin(OakPl) d/b/a Murrell Mitchell Apts. HUD-assisted 1 Oak Place Ltd, Corbin 40701 46 low-income homes · For families · (606) 523-1161
  • Jackson Manor Apartments HUD-assisted HC 84 646, Barbourville 40906 44 low-income homes · For families · (606) 546-8924
  • FRIENDSHIP HOUSE - Corbin HUD-assisted 1365 Master St, Corbin 40701 41 homes, 40 low-income · For older adults · (606) 258-2528
  • Knox Wood Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Knoxwood ST, Barbourville 40906 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 17 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 3 · In service since 1997
  • Yellow Rock Place Tax credit (LIHTC) Ky 225, Barbourville 40906 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 24 · In service since 2017 · For older adults
  • Maplewood Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Maplewood Street, Barbourville 40906 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 2011 · For older adults
  • Mixon Manor HUD-assisted 301 3rd St, Barbourville 40906 20 low-income homes · For older adults · (502) 491-2422, ext. 203
  • Friendship House II Tax credit (LIHTC) Masters ST., Corbin 40702 24 homes, 18 low-income · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 2001
  • Sowders Manor HUD-assisted 1 Whitesburg Hollow Rd, Barbourville 40906 14 low-income homes · For older adults · (606) 546-3152

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 Knox 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 Knox County. Here is what the rules say:

The rules, with their source

  1. 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. HUD

  2. 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). 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)

  3. Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)

  4. 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. 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)

  5. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. 24 CFR §982.508

  6. Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)

Mixed-status families: how assistance is figured
HUD income limits Yearly income of the whole family, before taxes.
People Extremely low (30%) Very low (50%) Low
$15,960 $25,200 $40,250
$21,640 $28,800 $46,000
$27,320 $32,400 $51,750
$33,000 $35,950 $57,500
$38,680 $38,850 $62,100
$41,750 $41,750 $66,700
$44,600 $44,600 $71,300
$47,500 $47,500 $75,900

Area median income: $48,900. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Knox County, KY. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026

How much can you earn? Check your case

Possible payment standard

  • Studio $585 – $715
  • 1 bedroom $752 – $919
  • 2 bedrooms $818 – $1,000
  • 3 bedrooms $1,061 – $1,297
  • 4 bedrooms $1,367 – $1,671

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 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 rule

Compare 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 Knox County

This HUD-approved agency has an office in Knox County. They counsel for free or at low cost.

  • Kceoc Community Action Partnership, Inc.

    5448 N US Highway 25E, Gray

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Home improvement and repairs
    • and 6 more
    (606) 546-3152
See every agency in Kentucky Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Tool

How much cash do you need to move in?

It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Knox 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

Open the full tool

Your move

We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.

Adjust advanced details
Deposit and rent in advance
The deposit, in

Let's do the math

Cash to move in

$1,818

What you need before you get the keys.

What adds up

First month
$909
Security deposit
$909
Total
$1,818

The deposit cap

Pick your state to see whether its law caps the deposit.

Compare each state's rules →

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.
Guide: the security depositGuide: avoiding rental scamsFamily budgetHow much rent can I afford?

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.

Guides

Before you sign

Frequently asked questions

What is the fair market rent in Knox County?

According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $650; 1 bedroom: $835; 2 bedrooms: $909; 3 bedrooms: $1,179; 4 bedrooms: $1,519. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.

How much do you need to earn to rent in Knox County?

Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($909) without spending more than 30% of income takes $17.48 an hour full time, or $36,360 a year.

Who qualifies for Section 8 in Knox County?

Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $35,950 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 Knox 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 $818 and $1,000 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.

Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Knox County?

For 2 bedrooms they run from $910 in 40771 to $940 in 40921. 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 Knox County?

HUD lists 14 properties with homes for low-income households in Knox 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 Knox County?

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Knox County, 47% of renter households are in that position; in Kentucky, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).