City Report · KY

Covington

Pop. 41,110·10th most expensive in Kentucky·Covington rents are up 11.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,614/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.0%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
-$348
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Covington · $1,614
More affordable than 68% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
56/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Covington's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,614/mo
Expected by trend
$1,667/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Covington's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$825
1 BR
$925
2 BR
$1,200
3 BR
$1,590
4 BR+
$1,760
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,200/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,614 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
$19,368/yr
At $1,614/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.0% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Covington, KY is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 32.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
41,110
Median income
$61,166
Median age
37.6
Renters
48.2%
Age distribution
20.4%
25.5%
25.4%
14.2%
14.6%
Under 1820.4%
18–3425.5%
35–5425.4%
55–6414.2%
65+14.6%
Gender
51.4%
48.6%
Male51.4%
Female48.6%
Race & ethnicity
76.1%
White76.1%
Black8.4%
Hispanic8.7%
Asian1.2%
Other5.7%
Education (25+)
30.8%
25.2%
32.2%
No HS diploma11.8%
HS diploma30.8%
Some college25.2%
Bachelor's+32.2%
Housing tenure
51.8%
48.2%
Owner51.8%
Renter48.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Covington, KY has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,115 → $1,614
up 44.8%
Income
$47,917 → $61,166
up 27.6%
Population
40,930 → 41,110
up 0.4%
Renter share
50.3% → 48.2%
-2.1 pts
Bachelor's+
28.4% → 32.2%
+3.8 pts
Median age
36.9 → 37.6
+0.7 yrs

Rent in Covington, KY has climbed 44.8% since 2021, going from about $1,115 per month to roughly $1,614 today. Census figures show median household income at $61,166 today, compared with $47,917 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 17.2 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. About 48.2% of households rent today, against 50.3% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 28.4% to 32.2%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Covington on your salary?

At $1,614/mo, how Covington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Covington rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Covington

About renting in Covington, KY

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Covington is $1,614/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $825/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,200/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $925/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,590/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($61,166/yr), Covington ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Covington an affordable city for renters?

Covington is considered moderate for renters. At $1,614/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($61,166/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Covington slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Covington?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $65,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,614/mo in Covington. The local median household income is $61,166/yr, meaning the typical Covington household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Covington?

Rent in Covington has increased 11.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Covington neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Covington are 41014 ($1,330/mo), and 41011 ($1,621/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Covington is $1,614/mo.

How does Covington rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?

Covington is one of the pricier cities in Kentucky for rent, ranking #10 out of 36 tracked cities at $1,614/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Covington?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Covington ($1,614/mo): Fort Thomas ($1,386/mo), Southgate ($1,447/mo), Bellevue ($1,540/mo).

What percentage of Covington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.2% of Covington households are renters, while 51.8% are owner-occupied. Covington leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Covington rent compare to the national average?

Covington's median rent of $1,614/mo is $348 (18%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Kentucky, it ranks #10 out of 36 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,614/mo, rent takes ~32% of Covington's median household income ($61,166/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Covington 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4%
Run the Covington affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Covington
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Covington, KY

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