City Report · KY

Fort Thomas

Pop. 17,169·20th most expensive in Kentucky·Fort Thomas rents are up 6.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,402/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.5%
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
-$563
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Fort Thomas · $1,402
More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
16% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,402/mo, rent takes about 16% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$56,000/yr
Local median income
$104,350/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Fort Thomas's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$890
1 BR
$1,000
2 BR
$1,290
3 BR
$1,710
4 BR+
$1,890
Research median
$1,290/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$16,824/yr
At $1,402/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.5% YoY, +0.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Fort Thomas, KY is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 55.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
17,169
Median income
$104,350
Median age
38.8
Renters
28.8%
Age distribution
25.4%
18.6%
27%
17.1%
Under 1825.4%
18–3418.6%
35–5427%
55–6411.9%
65+17.1%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
89.2%
White89.2%
Black2.3%
Hispanic3%
Asian0.7%
Other4.8%
Education (25+)
16.6%
25.1%
55.3%
No HS diploma3%
HS diploma16.6%
Some college25.1%
Bachelor's+55.3%
Housing tenure
71.2%
28.8%
Owner71.2%
Renter28.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Fort Thomas, KY has changed in 5 years

Income
$85,938 → $104,350
up 21.4%
Population
17,241 → 17,169
down 0.4%
Renter share
26.5% → 28.8%
+2.3 pts
Bachelor's+
54.3% → 55.3%
+1.0 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in Fort Thomas, KY now reports about $104,350, up from $85,938 in 2021. About 28.8% of households rent today, against 26.5% in 2021.

Community

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View Fort Thomas rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fort Thomas on your salary?

At $1,402/mo, how Fort Thomas rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Fort Thomas rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fort Thomas

About renting in Fort Thomas, KY

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Fort Thomas is $1,402/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $890/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,290/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,000/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,710/mo.

At 16% of local median household income ($104,350/yr), Fort Thomas ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fort Thomas an affordable city for renters?

Fort Thomas is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,402/mo, rent takes approximately 16% of the local median household income ($104,350/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fort Thomas falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Fort Thomas?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,402/mo in Fort Thomas. The local median household income is $104,350/yr, meaning the typical Fort Thomas household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fort Thomas?

Rent in Fort Thomas has increased 6.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Fort Thomas rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?

Fort Thomas is middle-of-the-pack for Kentucky for rent, ranking #20 out of 39 tracked cities at $1,402/mo.

What percentage of Fort Thomas residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.8% of Fort Thomas households are renters, while 71.2% are owner-occupied. Fort Thomas leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fort Thomas rent compare to the national average?

Fort Thomas's median rent of $1,402/mo is $563 (29%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kentucky, it ranks #20 out of 39 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
16%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,402/mo, rent takes ~16% of Fort Thomas's median household income ($104,350/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fort Thomas 16%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4%
Run the Fort Thomas affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Fort Thomas, KY

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