At $1,168/mo, rent takes about 28% 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 $1,168 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 Paducah changed +9.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 26 Kentucky cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.2%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($49,915) is $1,248 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,050); a 3-bedroom is $1,270.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Paducah. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Paducah, KY is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 28.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Paducah, KY has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $42,024 to $49,915 across the same window, up 18.8% versus 2021. Census counts show Paducah, KY adding about 597 residents over the five-year window, up 2.3% on net. The renter share has eased from 47.5% to 45%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.
Discussions about Paducah
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Paducah on your salary?
At $1,168/mo, how Paducah rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Paducah rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Paducah. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Paducah
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Paducah is $1,168/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $720/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,050/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $810/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,270/mo.
At 28% of local median household income ($49,915/yr), Paducah ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Paducah?
Is rent going up or down in Paducah?
How does Paducah rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Paducah?
At $1,168/mo, rent takes ~28% of Paducah's median household income ($49,915/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Paducah.
No discussions yet.