Kentucky rent guide
Average Rent in Kentucky by City (June 2026)
Data as of Jun 9, 2026 · 243 rentals across 31 Kentucky cities
Kentucky sits comfortably below the national average on rent. A one-bedroom statewide runs about $1,115 a month, the median across the 160 one-beds in our data, and most cities cluster close to that figure. We use the median on purpose, and the per-city table below is where the real detail is.
Studio
$982
typical / mo
1 bed
$1,115
typical / mo
2 bed
$1,195
typical / mo
3 bed
$1,425
typical / mo
Typical rent by city, lowest first
Sorted by each city’s overall median. Kentucky’s range is fairly narrow, so the difference between cities is smaller than in most states. Find yours, then check the one-bed and two-bed columns for the size you’re after.
| # | City | Typical | 1 bed | 2 bed | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond | $850 | $850 | - | 5 |
| 2 | Bowling Green | $989 | $925 | $995 | 15 |
| 3 | Lexington | $1,096 | $1,059 | $1,125 | 39 |
| 4 | Louisville | $1,165 | $1,165 | $1,166 | 103 |
| 5 | Elizabethtown | $1,218 | - | - | 5 |
| 6 | Florence | $1,290 | $1,280 | - | 20 |
| 7 | Covington | $1,763 | $1,763 | - | 6 |
How to read these numbers
“Typical” is the median across every unit we track in that city. The per-bedroom columns are the median for that floor plan, shown only once a city has at least three listed. We include cities with five or more live listings and leave out single rooms and senior housing. Everything refreshes when our data does (last updated Jun 9, 2026).
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Kentucky?
Across the state the median one-bedroom is about $1,115/mo, studios run ~$982, two-beds ~$1,195 and three-beds ~$1,425. We use the median, not the mean, so a few luxury buildings do not skew it. Kentucky sits comfortably below the national average, with most cities clustered close together, so check the per-city table for your exact market.
How much is rent in Louisville versus Lexington?
They are close. Both Louisville (the state’s largest city) and Lexington (the University of Kentucky) have large, low-cost rental markets with typical rents around $1,100 to $1,200. Louisville runs a touch higher in our data, and the college towns of Bowling Green and Richmond come in lower.
Is Northern Kentucky more expensive to rent in?
Yes. Covington, Florence and Newport sit across the Ohio River from Cincinnati and carry that metro’s pricing, so they run higher than the rest of Kentucky. If budget is the priority, Central and Western Kentucky stretch further.
More rent guides
Kentucky · Rankings
The Cheapest Cities to Rent in Kentucky
Every Kentucky city ranked by entry and median rent, from the college towns and value markets to the Louisville and Lexington metros and the Cincinnati suburbs of Northern Kentucky.
Kentucky · Rankings
How to Find the Cheapest Place to Rent in Kentucky
Kentucky region by region, cheapest first, plus the college towns and value markets around Louisville and Lexington, and five concrete ways to pay less.
California · Rent data
Average Rent in California by City
What renters actually pay: median rent in every city we track, broken down by bedroom, studio through three-bed.
Texas · Rent data
Average Rent in Texas by City
What renters actually pay in Texas: median rent in every city we track, by bedroom. Plus why a studio there can cost more than a one-bed.
Want the cheapest unit in your city the moment it lists?
Save a search on Budget Leases and we’ll email you when a cheaper match shows up. It’s free, with one-click unsubscribe whenever you’re done looking.
Browse the cheapest rentals →Budget Leases is an independent rental tracker and isn’t affiliated with any listing provider. Rents and availability change constantly, so always confirm the current price on the original listing before you make a decision.