Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in McCracken County, Kentucky
McCracken County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,131 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $898 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $21.75 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,131
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 2% less than in Kentucky
- Typical rent
- $898
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 7% less than in Kentucky
- Wage needed
- $21.75
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $45,240 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 44%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 4% less than in Kentucky
Only here
Renting in McCracken County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Among the neighboring counties, Hickman County has the lowest typical rent ($718), 20% below the $898 in McCracken County.
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 McCracken 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 McCracken County was $1,173 a month in September 2026: 9.1% 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 | $788 | $15.15 | $31,520 |
| 1 bedroom | $924 | $17.77 | $36,960 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,131 | $21.75 | $45,240 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,348 | $25.92 | $53,920 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,616 | $31.08 | $64,640 |
HUD area: McCracken 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 5 ZIP codes in McCracken County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $960 in 42003 to $1,250 in 42086. 2 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,131).
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)
| 42001 | McCracken County, KY | $850 | $1,000 | $1,220 | $1,450 | $1,740 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42003 | Graves County, KY | $660 | $770 | $960 | $1,150 | $1,600 |
| 42003 | Marshall County, KY | $660 | $770 | $960 | $1,150 | $1,600 |
| 42003 | McCracken County, KY | $660 | $770 | $960 | $1,150 | $1,600 |
| 42086 | McCracken County, KY | $870 | $1,020 | $1,250 | $1,490 | $1,790 |
- 42001 · McCracken County, KY $1,220$1,450
- 42003 · Graves County, KY $960$1,150
- 42003 · Marshall County, KY $960$1,150
- 42003 · McCracken County, KY $960$1,150
- 42086 · McCracken County, KY $1,250$1,490
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 McCracken County, 44% 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.
44%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
8,577 households rent in McCracken County
- Spend half or more of their income 21%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 22%
- Spend less than 30% 56%
Compared with the state and the country
- McCracken 44%
- Kentucky 45%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in McCracken County
HUD lists 17 properties with homes for low-income households in McCracken 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)
- 3
- HUD-assisted
- 11
- public housing
- 3
1,814 homes in all; 1,709 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Elmwood CT Public housing 2250 Ohio St, Paducah 42003 452 homes, 429 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of Paducah · Average payment: $331 a month · Average wait: 12 months · (270) 443-3634
- Ella Munal CT Public housing 706 Boyd St, Paducah 42001 398 homes, 396 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of Paducah · Average payment: $395 a month · Average wait: 12 months · (270) 443-3634
- Jackson House HUD-assisted 301 S 9th St, Paducah 42003 233 homes, 188 low-income · For older adults · (270) 442-7591
- Irvin Cobb Apts. HUD-assisted 600 Broadway St, Paducah 42001 104 low-income homes · For older adults · (270) 443-4721
- Dudley Court Apartments HUD-assisted 801 McGuire Ave, Paducah 42001 96 homes, 94 low-income · For families · (270) 442-5160
- Paducah Highland Terr HUD-assisted 1110 Old North Friendship Rd, Paducah 42001 92 low-income homes · For families · (270) 554-7843
- Lone Oak Manor HUD-assisted 650 College Ave, Paducah 42001 76 low-income homes · For families · (270) 554-0504
- W B Sanders Retirement Center HUD-assisted 820 Washington St, Paducah 42003 61 low-income homes · For older adults · (270) 442-7591
- Scholar House of Paducah Tax credit (LIHTC) Old North Friendship Road, Paducah 42001 48 low-income homes · 2 bd: 48 · In service since 2012 · For families
- Brookmeade Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Twinson CT., Paducah 42001 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2008 · For families
- Whittier Apts HUD-assisted 1301 N 13th St, Paducah 42001 40 low-income homes · For older adults · (270) 441-2002
- Mcauley Manor HUD-assisted 631 McAuley Dr, Paducah 42003 62 homes, 31 low-income · For older adults · (270) 415-9166
- Dublin Manor HUD-assisted 665 McAuley Dr, Paducah 42003 29 homes, 28 low-income · For older adults · (270) 441-0026
- H C Mathis Public housing 1327 Atkins St, Paducah 42001 28 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Paducah · Average payment: $460 a month · Average wait: 24 months · (270) 443-3634
- Mercy Manor HUD-assisted 601 McAuley Dr, Paducah 42003 26 low-income homes · For older adults · (270) 415-9166
- Jetton School Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Walter Jetton BLVD., Paducah 42001 21 homes, 20 low-income · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 11 · 3 bd: 2 · In service since 1999 · For families
- Riverwood Apts HUD-assisted 421 S 9th St, Paducah 42003 8 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (270) 443-6404
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 McCracken 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 McCracken 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
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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)
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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 | $20,850 | $34,750 | $55,550 |
| 2 people | $23,800 | $39,700 | $63,500 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $44,650 | $71,400 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $49,600 | $79,350 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $53,600 | $85,700 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $57,550 | $92,050 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $61,500 | $98,400 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $65,500 | $104,750 |
Area median income: $102,400. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: McCracken County, KY HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $709 – $867
- 1 bedroom $832 – $1,016
- 2 bedrooms $1,018 – $1,244
- 3 bedrooms $1,213 – $1,483
- 4 bedrooms $1,454 – $1,778
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 Paducah Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 621 vouchers · 853 public housing units (270) 443-3634 Housing Authority of Paducah: info@paducahhousing.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 McCracken County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in McCracken County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in McCracken 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
$2,262
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,131
- Security deposit
- $1,131
- Total
- $2,262
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 McCracken County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $788; 1 bedroom: $924; 2 bedrooms: $1,131; 3 bedrooms: $1,348; 4 bedrooms: $1,616. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in McCracken County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,131) without spending more than 30% of income takes $21.75 an hour full time, or $45,240 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in McCracken County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $49,600 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 McCracken 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 $1,018 and $1,244 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in McCracken County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $960 in 42003 to $1,250 in 42086. 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 McCracken County?
HUD lists 17 properties with homes for low-income households in McCracken 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 McCracken County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In McCracken County, 44% of renter households are in that position; in Kentucky, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).