Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

Counties in Kentucky where people spend most of their paycheck on housing

It’s no secret that many Americans are forgoing homeownership in favor of renting. In 2020, renters in the U.S. occupied 43 million housing units.

The Stacker team looked at data from a United States Census survey that revealed an estimated 43,378,800 renter-occupied homes in the United States as of 2017, which makes up 36.1% of all households in the country. In 2019, renting was more affordable than buying a median-priced home in 59% of the counties; in 2021, the opposite was true: Owning was more affordable than renting in 63% of U.S. counties.

Stacker compiled a list of counties in Kentucky where people spend the highest percent of income on rent using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Of course, saving money by owning a home is unattainable for many Americans who don’t have savings that could cover a down payment, those who are denied a mortgage, or both. Keep reading to see where in your home state most of people’s take-home pay goes to their monthly rent.

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JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Franklin County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.8%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 53.8%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.8%
– Total occupied households: 21,076
– Median household income: $56,274
– Median monthly housing cost: $833

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Magoffin County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.8%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 48.7%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.5%
– Total occupied households: 5,020
– Median household income: $28,147
– Median monthly housing cost: $417

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Lawrence County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.8%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 48.0%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.4%
– Total occupied households: 5,784
– Median household income: $32,798
– Median monthly housing cost: $486

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Johnson County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.8%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.3%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.0%
– Total occupied households: 8,488
– Median household income: $37,055
– Median monthly housing cost: $551

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Knox County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.9%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 48.4%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.6%
– Total occupied households: 11,961
– Median household income: $30,181
– Median monthly housing cost: $449

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W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Garrard County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.9%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 56.8%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 21.9%
– Total occupied households: 6,706
– Median household income: $52,631
– Median monthly housing cost: $785

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Grant County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 17.9%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.7%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.7%
– Total occupied households: 9,141
– Median household income: $48,714
– Median monthly housing cost: $728

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Owsley County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.0%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 45.2%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.0%
– Total occupied households: 1,704
– Median household income: $30,284
– Median monthly housing cost: $453

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Lewis County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.0%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.2%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.1%
– Total occupied households: 5,268
– Median household income: $31,147
– Median monthly housing cost: $466

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Kenton County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.0%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 55.0%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.4%
– Total occupied households: 63,966
– Median household income: $64,339
– Median monthly housing cost: $963

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Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Grayson County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.0%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.0%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.3%
– Total occupied households: 9,758
– Median household income: $38,612
– Median monthly housing cost: $579

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Boyd County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.0%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 53.1%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.7%
– Total occupied households: 18,210
– Median household income: $48,308
– Median monthly housing cost: $725

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Clark County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.0%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.1%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.9%
– Total occupied households: 14,509
– Median household income: $54,953
– Median monthly housing cost: $825

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Bullitt County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.1%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 54.5%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 20.2%
– Total occupied households: 29,690
– Median household income: $63,348
– Median monthly housing cost: $954

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Allen County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.1%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 54.9%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 20.6%
– Total occupied households: 7,605
– Median household income: $44,036
– Median monthly housing cost: $664

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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Anderson County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.2%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 56.1%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.0%
– Total occupied households: 8,694
– Median household income: $55,334
– Median monthly housing cost: $838

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Montgomery County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.2%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 54.0%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.2%
– Total occupied households: 10,481
– Median household income: $45,516
– Median monthly housing cost: $692

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Marion County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.3%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 56.2%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.8%
– Total occupied households: 7,405
– Median household income: $40,107
– Median monthly housing cost: $611

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Jessamine County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.3%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.9%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.2%
– Total occupied households: 18,821
– Median household income: $58,245
– Median monthly housing cost: $888

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Campbell County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.3%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.4%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.5%
– Total occupied households: 36,746
– Median household income: $63,050
– Median monthly housing cost: $963

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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Breathitt County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.4%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.6%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 20.8%
– Total occupied households: 5,358
– Median household income: $27,344
– Median monthly housing cost: $419

FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Madison County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.4%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.4%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.6%
– Total occupied households: 33,359
– Median household income: $50,060
– Median monthly housing cost: $768

Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Daviess County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.4%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 52.5%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.4%
– Total occupied households: 40,179
– Median household income: $51,673
– Median monthly housing cost: $794

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Clay County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.5%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 45.1%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.1%
– Total occupied households: 7,622
– Median household income: $26,840
– Median monthly housing cost: $413

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Laurel County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.5%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.7%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.9%
– Total occupied households: 22,573
– Median household income: $41,526
– Median monthly housing cost: $640

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Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Simpson County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.7%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.8%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 22.7%
– Total occupied households: 7,028
– Median household income: $48,623
– Median monthly housing cost: $756

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Floyd County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.7%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.3%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.3%
– Total occupied households: 15,000
– Median household income: $32,730
– Median monthly housing cost: $510

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#23. McCracken County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.8%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 53.1%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.4%
– Total occupied households: 27,854
– Median household income: $46,080
– Median monthly housing cost: $722

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Bourbon County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.8%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.9%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.6%
– Total occupied households: 8,106
– Median household income: $49,637
– Median monthly housing cost: $779

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Hardin County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.9%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.5%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 23.8%
– Total occupied households: 41,646
– Median household income: $54,367
– Median monthly housing cost: $855

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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Nicholas County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.9%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 57.8%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 21.4%
– Total occupied households: 2,804
– Median household income: $38,149
– Median monthly housing cost: $600

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Meade County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 18.9%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 56.8%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 20.3%
– Total occupied households: 10,685
– Median household income: $56,603
– Median monthly housing cost: $891

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Jackson County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.0%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 45.1%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.9%
– Total occupied households: 5,484
– Median household income: $32,138
– Median monthly housing cost: $509

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Boyle County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.2%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 50.7%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 27.5%
– Total occupied households: 11,023
– Median household income: $46,382
– Median monthly housing cost: $741

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Estill County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.2%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 49.7%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.5%
– Total occupied households: 5,499
– Median household income: $31,688
– Median monthly housing cost: $507

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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Pulaski County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.2%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 51.0%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.9%
– Total occupied households: 25,301
– Median household income: $39,998
– Median monthly housing cost: $641

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Harlan County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.3%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 49.2%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.2%
– Total occupied households: 11,134
– Median household income: $26,478
– Median monthly housing cost: $425

OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Warren County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.3%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 47.8%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.5%
– Total occupied households: 48,224
– Median household income: $52,270
– Median monthly housing cost: $839

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Rowan County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.3%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 48.5%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 26.8%
– Total occupied households: 8,623
– Median household income: $38,230
– Median monthly housing cost: $614

Kybluegrass // Wikimedia Commons

#11. McCreary County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.6%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 49.0%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.7%
– Total occupied households: 6,052
– Median household income: $28,105
– Median monthly housing cost: $460

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Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Bell County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.7%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 49.4%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 29.4%
– Total occupied households: 10,624
– Median household income: $26,272
– Median monthly housing cost: $431

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Barren County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 19.8%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 49.0%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 27.4%
– Total occupied households: 16,931
– Median household income: $41,459
– Median monthly housing cost: $685

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#8. Jefferson County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 20.0%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 48.5%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 27.6%
– Total occupied households: 312,679
– Median household income: $56,586
– Median monthly housing cost: $941

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Fulton County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 20.0%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 48.5%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 29.3%
– Total occupied households: 2,441
– Median household income: $30,114
– Median monthly housing cost: $501

Murray State // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Calloway County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 20.1%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 47.5%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 28.2%
– Total occupied households: 14,996
– Median household income: $42,273
– Median monthly housing cost: $708

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Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Fayette County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 20.4%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 46.7%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 29.8%
– Total occupied households: 129,784
– Median household income: $57,291
– Median monthly housing cost: $976

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Powell County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 21.2%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 53.5%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 25.6%
– Total occupied households: 4,770
– Median household income: $37,469
– Median monthly housing cost: $663

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Wolfe County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 21.2%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 47.0%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 31.4%
– Total occupied households: 2,898
– Median household income: $24,623
– Median monthly housing cost: $436

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Lee County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 21.4%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 44.4%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 24.9%
– Total occupied households: 2,839
– Median household income: $25,275
– Median monthly housing cost: $450

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Christian County

– Median percent of income spent on housing: 22.4%
— Percent of households spending <20% of income on housing: 41.1%
— Percent of households spending >30% of income on housing: 33.2%
– Total occupied households: 25,721
– Median household income: $43,919
– Median monthly housing cost: $819

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