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City Report · KY

Bardstown

Pop. 13,804·34th most expensive in Kentucky·Bardstown rents have dropped 12.6%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,044/mo
Year-over-Year
-12.6%
Month-over-Month
-2.9%
vs US Median
-$918
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bardstown · $1,044
More affordable than 97% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,044/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$42,000/yr
Local median income
$51,381/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Bardstown's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$660
1 BR
$700
2 BR
$920
3 BR
$1,270
4 BR+
$1,540
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$920/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,044 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$12,528/yr
At $1,044/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 12.6% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-12.6% YoY, -2.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
13,804
Median income
$51,381
Median age
38.1
Renters
38.9%
Age distribution
24%
23.4%
21.6%
14.2%
16.7%
Under 1824%
18–3423.4%
35–5421.6%
55–6414.2%
65+16.7%
Gender
51.7%
48.3%
Male51.7%
Female48.3%
Race & ethnicity
78.5%
13.8%
White78.5%
Black13.8%
Hispanic6%
Other1.5%
Education (25+)
37.2%
24.7%
26.7%
No HS diploma11.5%
HS diploma37.2%
Some college24.7%
Bachelor's+26.7%
Housing tenure
61.1%
38.9%
Owner61.1%
Renter38.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Bardstown, KY has changed in 5 years

Income
$49,298 → $51,381
up 4.2%
Population
13,425 → 13,804
up 2.8%
Renter share
44.8% → 38.9%
-5.9 pts
Bachelor's+
22.3% → 26.7%
+4.4 pts
Median age
34.1 → 38.1
+4.0 yrs

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%.

Community

Discussions about Bardstown

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View Bardstown rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bardstown on your salary?

At $1,044/mo, how Bardstown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bardstown rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bardstown. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bardstown

About renting in Bardstown, KY

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Bardstown is $1,044/mo as of August 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 12.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bardstown an affordable city for renters?

Bardstown is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,044/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($51,381/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bardstown falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bardstown?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $42,000/year (~$20/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,044/mo in Bardstown. The local median household income is $51,381/yr, meaning the typical Bardstown household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bardstown?

Rent in Bardstown has decreased 12.6% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Bardstown rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?

Bardstown is one of the more affordable cities in Kentucky for rent, ranking #34 out of 36 tracked cities at $1,044/mo.

What percentage of Bardstown residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.9% of Bardstown households are renters, while 61.1% are owner-occupied. Bardstown leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bardstown rent compare to the national average?

Bardstown's median rent of $1,044/mo is $918 (47%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Kentucky, it ranks #34 out of 36 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,044/mo, rent takes ~24% of Bardstown's median household income ($51,381/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bardstown 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4%
Run the Bardstown affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bardstown, KY

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