In Middlesborough, a typical home is worth $99,900 and typical rent is $598 a month. Compared with all of Bell County, the typical home value is 12% higher.
Middlesborough is in Bell 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 Bell County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Middlesborough has the lowest typical rent of the 85 cities in Kentucky with more than 5,000 people: $598.
2
Middlesborough has the lowest typical household income of the 85 cities in Kentucky with more than 5,000 people: $31,106.
3
Middlesborough has the 2nd lowest typical home value of the 83 cities in Kentucky with more than 5,000 people ($99,900).
4
Middlesborough has the 4th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 76 cities in Kentucky with more than 5,000 people (61%).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Middlesborough
What homes there are in Middlesborough, 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
Middlesborough
Bell County
Kentucky
United States
Kind of home: Middlesborough and its comparisons
Measure
Middlesborough
Bell County
Kentucky
United States
Detached house
61%
58%
68%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
13%
8%
7%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
8%
12%
19%
Mobile home
14%
25%
11%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
As in Bell County, most homes in Middlesborough are detached houses (61%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Middlesborough
Bell County
Kentucky
United States
Year built: Middlesborough and its comparisons
Measure
Middlesborough
Bell County
Kentucky
United States
Before 1960
33%
22%
22%
26%
1960–1979
28%
30%
26%
24%
1980–1999
21%
30%
28%
25%
2000–2009
12%
12%
15%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
6%
11%
11%
Homes in Middlesborough are older: the typical year built is 1973; in Bell County, 1979.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K50%
$100K–$200K24%
$200K–$300K17%
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Middlesborough and its comparisons
Measure
Middlesborough
Under $100K
50%
$100K–$200K
24%
$200K–$300K
17%
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50043%
$500–$99947%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $909
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Middlesborough and its comparisons
Measure
Middlesborough
Under $500
43%
$500–$999
47%
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Bell County is $909; about 82% of rents in Middlesborough are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,276 a month
Bell County: $1,110 a month
Without a mortgage
$307 a month
Bell County: $316 a month
Owners with a mortgage
39%
Bell County: 32%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Middlesborough is $1,276 a month, more than in Bell County ($1,110); without one, $307.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
MiddlesboroughNo clear change
Bell County+49%
Kentucky+46%
United States+53%
Typical rent
MiddlesboroughNo clear change
Bell CountyNo clear change
Kentucky+27%
United States+33%
Typical household income
MiddlesboroughNo clear change
Bell County+19%
Kentucky+26%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Middlesborough and its comparisons
Measure
Middlesborough
Bell County
Kentucky
United States
Typical home value
No clear change
+49%
+46%
+53%
Typical rent
No clear change
No clear change
+27%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+19%
+26%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, home values in Middlesborough moved so little that the Census cannot say whether they rose or fell.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Middlesborough did not change clearly, according to the Census.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Middlesborough and its comparisons
Measure
Middlesborough
Bell County
Kentucky
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
4.6%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
2.0%
3.4%
People per household
2.20
2.31
2.43
2.53
Drive alone
66%
72%
77%
69%
Carpool
23%
17%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
4%
10%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
A household in Middlesborough has 2.20 people on average, about the same as in Bell County (2.31).
In Middlesborough, 23% of workers share a car to get to work; in Bell County, 17%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Middlesborough?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Middlesborough, worth $99,900, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 31% of the typical household income in Middlesborough, which is $31,106 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $34,975 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Bell 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 Middlesborough. 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 $3,497 (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
$816
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$98,090
Total interest
$141,129
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $1,687 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $726 a month
Tight
$726 to $933 a month
Your payment · 31%
Hard
more than $933 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Middlesborough ($31,106 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$664
Property tax
$66
Home insurance
$42
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$44
You need at least $3,497 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 $816; principal and interest $664.
The city and its county
Middlesborough and Bell County
Middlesborough is in Bell 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).
Middlesborough
Map of Bell County, Kentucky, with Middlesborough marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Middlesborough
Bell County
Other cities with a page
Middlesborough's own numbers
Typical home value
$99,900
Typical monthly rent
$598
Typical yearly household income
$31,106
Households that own their home
55%
Effective property tax rate
0.79%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Bell County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$909
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+52%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
13%
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 Bell County.
A typical home in Middlesborough is worth $99,900: 12% above the county and 51% below Kentucky. With the typical household income in Middlesborough ($31,106 a year), a typical home costs 3.2 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.
Middlesborough3.2 years
Bell2.8 years
Kentucky3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Bell County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Bell County rose 58% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Bell County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Bell County, 2016 to 2025
2016: −9.4% −9.4% 2016
2017: +11.6% +11.6% 2017
2018: +1.2% +1.2% 2018
2019: −3.0% −3.0% 2019
2020: +4.2% +4.2% 2020
2021: +13.3% +13.3% 2021
2022: +13.9% +13.9% 2022
2023: −4.3% −4.3% 2023
2024: +13.9% +13.9% 2024
2025: +8.5% +8.5% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Bell County, Kentucky and the United States
Period
County
Kentucky
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+8.5%
+3.9%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+52%
+50%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+58%
+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
Middlesborough next to Bell 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
Middlesborough$99,900
Bell$89,000
Kentucky$205,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Middlesborough$598
Bell$592
Kentucky$967
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Middlesborough$31,106
Bell$31,354
Kentucky$63,726
United States$80,734
See the full table
Middlesborough next to Bell County and Kentucky
Measure
Middlesborough
Bell County
Kentucky
U.S.
Typical home value
$99,900 ▲12% above the county
$89,000
$205,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$598
$592
$967
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$31,106
$31,354
$63,726
$80,734
Households that own their home
55% ▼4 points below the county
59%
68%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$786 ▲9% above the county
$723
$1,544
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.79% ▼0.02 points below the county
0.81%
0.75%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
61% ▲6 points above the county
55%
45%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Bell 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 Middlesborough
For a typical $99,900 home in Middlesborough, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Middlesborough's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$816a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$3,497
Cash to close
$6,494
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $44
Conventional, 5% down$798a month
Down payment
$4,995
Cash to close
$7,992
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $47
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$649a month
Down payment
$19,980
Cash to close
$22,977
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$741a month
Down payment
$14,985
Cash to close
$17,982
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Middlesborough
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$816
$3,497
$98,091
7.18%
FHA MIP · $44
$6,494
580
Conventional, 5% down
$798
$4,995
$94,905
7.18%
PMI · $47
$7,992
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$649
$19,980
$79,920
7.18%
None
$22,977
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$741
$14,985
$84,915
8.18%
None
$17,982
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 Middlesborough is $598 a month: about the same as the county. In Middlesborough, 61% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Bell County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($909 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $17.48 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 Bell County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$633
$12.17
$25,320
1 bedroom
$787
$15.13
$31,480
2 bedrooms
$909
$17.48
$36,360
3 bedrooms
$1,133
$21.79
$45,320
4 bedrooms
$1,352
$26.00
$54,080
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 Middlesborough
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Middlesborough is in ZIP code 40965.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,000: $91 more than the fair market rent for Bell County ($909).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Middlesborough, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
40965
$690
$860
$1,000
$1,240
$1,480
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
40965 $1,000$1,240
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Middlesborough 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.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Bell County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Middlesborough or Bell County. The ones below are statewide in Kentucky: they work in Middlesborough 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).
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Middlesborough, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
No legal help resource on our list is for Middlesborough or Bell 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 Middlesborough and all of Bell 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 Middlesborough?
The typical home value in Middlesborough is $99,900, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Bell County it is $89,000.
How much does it cost to rent in Middlesborough?
Typical rent in Middlesborough is $598 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Bell County is $909.
What is the FHA loan limit in Middlesborough?
Middlesborough uses the FHA limit for all of Bell 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 Middlesborough?
The typical homeowner in Middlesborough pays $786 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.79% of the home’s value; in Bell County, the rate is 0.81%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Middlesborough?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Bell County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
