Kentucky Fair Market Rent (FY2026)
South region · 101 HUD FMR areas
In FY2026, Kentucky has 101 HUD Fair Market Rent areas with a median 2-bedroom FMR of $866/month. Across the state, the 2-bedroom FMR ranges from $866 (Adair County, KY) to $1,353 (Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN). That median is $109 below the national median FMR of $975, ranking Kentucky #48 of 51 states (1 = most expensive). FMR is the federal voucher rent standard, not the market median.
Source: HUD USER, FY2026 Fair Market Rents (40th percentile, revised final). Data as of June 2026.
Kentucky median FMR by bedroom size
| Unit size | Median FMR (per month) |
|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $628 |
| 1-bedroom | $717 |
| 2-bedroom | $866 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,176 |
| 4-bedroom | $1,285 |
These are medians across the state's areas; an individual metro can be much higher or lower. The population-weighted average 2-bedroom FMR (weighting each area by its population) is $1,105.
Every FMR area in Kentucky
| FMR area | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $958 | $1,051 | $1,353 | $1,785 | $1,976 |
| Louisville, KY-IN | $966 | $1,047 | $1,272 | $1,625 | $1,891 |
Source: HUD USER, FY2026 Fair Market Rents (40th percentile, revised final). Data as of June 2026.
Detailed pages: Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN · Louisville, KY-IN.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Fair Market Rent in Kentucky for FY2026?
Kentucky has 101 HUD Fair Market Rent areas. The median 2-bedroom FMR across them is $866 per month, ranging from $866 (Adair County, KY) to $1,353 (Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN). HUD sets FMRs by metro/county, not statewide, so use the area closest to where you live. Verify at huduser.gov.
Which Kentucky area has the highest and lowest FMR?
In FY2026 the highest 2-bedroom FMR in Kentucky is $1,353 in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN, and the lowest is $866 in Adair County, KY. Rents are highest in the largest metros and lowest in rural counties.
Is Kentucky expensive for renters compared with other states?
Kentucky's median 2-bedroom FMR of $866 is $109 below the national median FMR of $975 (-11%). It ranks #48 of 51 states and DC by median 2-bedroom FMR (1 = most expensive).
How does FMR relate to Section 8 vouchers in Kentucky?
Public housing agencies in Kentucky set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards at roughly 90–110% of the local FMR. Your subsidy covers the gap between that standard and about 30% of your adjusted income. Contact the PHA for your county for exact figures.
Keep exploring
Source & accuracy
FY2026 Fair Market Rents, U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development — HUD USER (public domain). State medians and ranges are computed over HUD's area-level FMRs (see methodology). FMR is the federal voucher rent standard, not the market median; verify on huduser.gov.
Last updated: 2026-06-20