How much does it cost to rent in Bowling Green, KY?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Bowling Green, KY is $1,284. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Bowling Green cheaper than other Kentucky cities?

Bowling Green falls in the middle range for Kentucky, ranking #24 out of 39 cities at $1,284/mo.

When was Bowling Green rent data last updated?

Bowling Green rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · KY

Bowling Green

Name: Average Rent Prices in Bowling Green, KY
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 75,388·24th most expensive in Kentucky·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$1,284/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.6%

Month-over-Month

+0.6%

vs US Median

-$681

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Bowling Green · $1,284

More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

65/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Bowling Green's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,284/mo

Expected by trend

$1,388/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Bowling Green's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$890

1 BR

$1,007

2 BR

$1,190

3 BR

$1,433

4 BR+

$1,817

Research median

$1,190/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$15,408/yr

At $1,284/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.6% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Bowling Green, KY is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 31.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

75,388

Median income

$48,873

Median age

28.7

Renters

63.4%

Age distribution

22.7%

36.5%

21%

Under 1822.7%

18–3436.5%

35–5421%

55–648.3%

65+11.4%

Gender

50.3%

49.7%

Male50.3%

Female49.7%

Race & ethnicity

65%

14.2%

White65%

Black14.2%

Hispanic10.6%

Asian7.8%

Other2.4%

Education (25+)

14.6%

26.3%

27.9%

31.2%

No HS diploma14.6%

HS diploma26.3%

Some college27.9%

Bachelor's+31.2%

Housing tenure

36.6%

63.4%

Owner36.6%

Renter63.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Bowling Green, KY has changed in 5 years

Rent

$991 → $1,284

up 29.6%

Income

$43,633 → $48,873

up 12.0%

Population

71,422 → 75,388

up 5.6%

Renter share

61.3% → 63.4%

+2.1 pts

Bachelor's+

30.4% → 31.2%

+0.8 pts

Median age

27.7 → 28.7

+1.0 yrs

The median rent in Bowling Green, KY stood at $991 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,284, reflecting a 29.6% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $43,633 in 2021 to $48,873 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 5.6% since 2021, moving from about 71,422 residents to roughly 75,388. Renters now make up 63.4% of households, compared with 61.3% five years ago. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Bowling Green, KY market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Bowling Green

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View Bowling Green rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bowling Green on your salary?

At $1,284/mo, how Bowling Green rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $83,142/yr · Rent = 18.5% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $59,030/yr · Rent = 26.1% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $67,998/yr · Rent = 22.7% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $121,537/yr · Rent = 12.7% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $155,294/yr · Rent = 9.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $55,273/yr · Rent = 27.9% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $49,905/yr · Rent = 30.9% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $61,512/yr · Rent = 25% income

affordable

By apartment size

Bowling Green rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bowling Green

About renting in Bowling Green, KY

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bowling Green is $1,284/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $890/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,190/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,007/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,433/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($48,873/yr), Bowling Green ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bowling Green an affordable city for renters?

Bowling Green is considered moderate for renters. At $1,284/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($48,873/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bowling Green slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Bowling Green?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,284/mo in Bowling Green. The local median household income is $48,873/yr, meaning the typical Bowling Green household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bowling Green?

Rent in Bowling Green has increased 3.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Bowling Green neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Bowling Green are 42101 ($1,125/mo), 42104 ($1,336/mo), and 42103 ($1,404/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Bowling Green is $1,284/mo.

How does Bowling Green rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?

Bowling Green is middle-of-the-pack for Kentucky for rent, ranking #24 out of 39 tracked cities at $1,284/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bowling Green?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bowling Green ($1,284/mo): Russellville ($890/mo), Glasgow ($981/mo).

What percentage of Bowling Green residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 63.4% of Bowling Green households are renters, while 36.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Bowling Green has a strong rental market.

How does Bowling Green rent compare to the national average?

Bowling Green's median rent of $1,284/mo is $681 (35%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kentucky, it ranks #24 out of 39 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

32%

MODERATE

At $1,284/mo, rent takes ~32% of Bowling Green's median household income ($48,873/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bowling Green 32%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4%

Run the Bowling Green affordability calculator →

Nearby cities