At $1,011/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,011 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Bardstown changed -15.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 26 Kentucky cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.2%.
Rent rose in 5 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($51,381) is $1,285 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,270); a 4-bedroom is $1,540.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Bardstown. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Bardstown, KY is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 26.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Bardstown, KY has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $49,298 to $51,381 across the same window, up 4.2% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 13,425 to 13,804 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.8% change. About 38.9% of households rent today, against 44.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 22.3% to 26.7%.
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Can you afford rent in Bardstown on your salary?
At $1,011/mo, how Bardstown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Bardstown rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Bardstown. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Bardstown
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Bardstown is $1,011/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $660/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $920/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $700/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,270/mo.
At 24% of local median household income ($51,381/yr), Bardstown ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 15.9% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Bardstown?
Is rent going up or down in Bardstown?
How does Bardstown rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bardstown?
At $1,011/mo, rent takes ~24% of Bardstown's median household income ($51,381/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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