At $1,386/mo, rent takes about 16% 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 $1,386 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 Fort Thomas changed +8.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 26 Kentucky cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.2%.
Rent has risen 5 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($104,350) is $2,609 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,890).
Reading, OH, 10 miles away, rents for 25% less ($1,045/mo), about $4,100 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Fort Thomas. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Fort Thomas, KY has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Fort Thomas on your salary?
At $1,386/mo, how Fort Thomas rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Fort Thomas rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Fort Thomas. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Fort Thomas
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Fort Thomas is $1,386/mo as of October 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 8.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Fort Thomas?
How does Fort Thomas rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?
At $1,386/mo, rent takes ~16% of Fort Thomas's median household income ($104,350/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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