Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Laurel County, Kentucky
Laurel County has a HUD fair market rent of $943 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $813 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $18.13 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $943
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 18% less than in Kentucky
- Typical rent
- $813
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 16% less than in Kentucky
- Wage needed
- $18.13
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $37,720 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 41%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 10% less than in Kentucky
Only here
Renting in Laurel County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Laurel County has the highest typical rent in its area: $813, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Pulaski County ($803).
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 Laurel 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 | $674 | $12.96 | $26,960 |
| 1 bedroom | $749 | $14.40 | $29,960 |
| 2 bedrooms | $943 | $18.13 | $37,720 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,124 | $21.62 | $44,960 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,315 | $25.29 | $52,600 |
HUD area: Laurel 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 7 ZIP codes in Laurel County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $910 in 40729 to $970 in 40744. 4 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($943).
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)
| 40729 | Laurel County, KY | $650 | $720 | $910 | $1,080 | $1,270 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40737 | Laurel County, KY | $650 | $720 | $910 | $1,080 | $1,270 |
| 40740 | Laurel County, KY | $650 | $720 | $910 | $1,080 | $1,270 |
| 40741 | Clay County, KY | $690 | $770 | $970 | $1,160 | $1,350 |
| 40741 | Laurel County, KY | $690 | $770 | $970 | $1,160 | $1,350 |
| 40744 | Clay County, KY | $690 | $770 | $970 | $1,160 | $1,350 |
| 40744 | Laurel County, KY | $690 | $770 | $970 | $1,160 | $1,350 |
- 40729 · Laurel County, KY $910$1,080
- 40737 · Laurel County, KY $910$1,080
- 40740 · Laurel County, KY $910$1,080
- 40741 · Clay County, KY $970$1,160
- 40741 · Laurel County, KY $970$1,160
- 40744 · Clay County, KY $970$1,160
- 40744 · Laurel County, KY $970$1,160
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 Laurel County, 41% 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.
41%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
6,811 households rent in Laurel County
- Spend half or more of their income 20%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 20%
- Spend less than 30% 59%
Compared with the state and the country
- Laurel 41%
- Kentucky 45%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Laurel County
HUD lists 18 properties with homes for low-income households in Laurel 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)
- 13
- HUD-assisted
- 4
- public housing
- 1
858 homes in all; 858 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Greater Corbin Manor HUD-assisted 1400 Corbin Mnr, Corbin 40701 144 low-income homes · For families · (606) 528-9714
- House Manor & Pinehill A Public housing 514 W 16th St, London 40741 134 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of London · Average payment: $415 a month · Average wait: 8 months · Homes at several sites · (606) 864-5474
- Wildwood Apartments HUD-assisted 1001 Wildwood Apartment, London 40744 81 low-income homes · For families · (606) 878-6662
- Carnaby Square Apartments HUD-assisted 825 S Main St, London 40741 50 low-income homes · For older adults · (606) 878-6666
- Betty Jane Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Little RD., London 40741 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 1999
- Roseann Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 67 Robert E Cox Rd, Corbin 40701 47 low-income homes · In service since 1997
- Laurel Place Tax credit (LIHTC) West Carter RD., London 40741 46 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 34 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2012 · For families
- Arlington Greene Tax credit (LIHTC) Arlington Greene, London 40741 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 8 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2004
- Boone Village Tax credit (LIHTC) Lillian Lane, London 40741 34 low-income homes · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 18 · In service since 2006 · For families
- Emma Estates Tax credit (LIHTC) County Farm RD., London 40741 34 low-income homes · 2 bd: 30 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2004 · For families
- London Village Tax credit (LIHTC) London Village, London 40741 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 32 · In service since 2005 · For older adults
- Noah Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Noah Lane, London 40741 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 32 · In service since 2013 · For older adults
- Abigale Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Mcwhorter Road, London 40741 24 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · In service since 2008 · For families
- Cedar Lane II Tax credit (LIHTC) Spring ST., London 40741 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 1993
- County Farm Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Mitchell Creek RD., London 40741 24 low-income homes · 2 bd: 23 · 4 bd: 1 · In service since 2002
- Londontown Homes, Limited Tax credit (LIHTC) O W Lane, London 40744 24 low-income homes · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2001
- Southbrook Homes, Limited Tax credit (LIHTC) Disney DR., London 40744 24 low-income homes · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2001 · For families
- Cumberland Care Home HUD-assisted 1203 American Greeting Card Rd, Corbin 40701 16 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (606) 528-7010
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 Laurel 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 Laurel 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)
-
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 | $15,960 | $25,400 | $40,600 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $29,000 | $46,400 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $32,650 | $52,200 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $36,250 | $58,000 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $39,150 | $62,650 |
| 6 people | $42,050 | $42,050 | $67,300 |
| 7 people | $44,950 | $44,950 | $71,950 |
| 8 people | $47,850 | $47,850 | $76,600 |
Area median income: $72,500. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Laurel County, KY. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $607 – $741
- 1 bedroom $674 – $824
- 2 bedrooms $849 – $1,037
- 3 bedrooms $1,012 – $1,236
- 4 bedrooms $1,184 – $1,447
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
- Laurel County Section 8 Housing Section 8 vouchers · 335 vouchers (606) 878-0512 Laurel County Section 8 Housing: laurelsect8@windstream.net
- Housing Authority of London Public housing · 134 public housing units (606) 864-5474 Housing Authority of London: tina.simmons@kyhal.org
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 Laurel County
This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Kceoc Community Action Partnership, Inc.
5448 N US Highway 25E, Gray · 17 miles away
- Budget and financial counseling
- Home improvement and repairs
- and 6 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Laurel 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
$1,886
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $943
- Security deposit
- $943
- Total
- $1,886
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 Laurel County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $674; 1 bedroom: $749; 2 bedrooms: $943; 3 bedrooms: $1,124; 4 bedrooms: $1,315. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Laurel County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($943) without spending more than 30% of income takes $18.13 an hour full time, or $37,720 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Laurel County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $36,250 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 Laurel 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 $849 and $1,037 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Laurel County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $910 in 40729 to $970 in 40744. 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 Laurel County?
HUD lists 18 properties with homes for low-income households in Laurel 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 Laurel County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Laurel County, 41% of renter households are in that position; in Kentucky, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).