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City Report · KY

Paducah

Pop. 26,845·30th most expensive in Kentucky·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,118/mo
Year-over-Year
-1.8%
Month-over-Month
-13.0%
vs US Median
-$844
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Paducah · $1,118
More affordable than 95% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,118/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$45,000/yr
Local median income
$49,915/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Paducah's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$720
1 BR
$810
2 BR
$1,050
3 BR
$1,270
4 BR+
$1,760
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,050/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,118 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
$13,416/yr
At $1,118/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 1.8% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-1.8% YoY, -13.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
26,845
Median income
$49,915
Median age
41.5
Renters
45%
Age distribution
19.6%
22.7%
26.3%
13.7%
17.7%
Under 1819.6%
18–3422.7%
35–5426.3%
55–6413.7%
65+17.7%
Gender
47.6%
52.4%
Male47.6%
Female52.4%
Race & ethnicity
70.2%
19.2%
White70.2%
Black19.2%
Hispanic3.1%
Asian1.4%
Other6.1%
Education (25+)
29.5%
33.2%
28.8%
No HS diploma8.5%
HS diploma29.5%
Some college33.2%
Bachelor's+28.8%
Housing tenure
55%
45%
Owner55%
Renter45%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Paducah, KY has changed in 5 years

Income
$42,024 → $49,915
up 18.8%
Population
26,248 → 26,845
up 2.3%
Renter share
47.5% → 45%
-2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
27.4% → 28.8%
+1.4 pts
Median age
43.7 → 41.5
-2.2 yrs

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.

Community

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View Paducah rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Paducah on your salary?

At $1,118/mo, how Paducah rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Paducah rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Paducah

About renting in Paducah, KY

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Paducah is $1,118/mo as of August 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 27% of local median household income ($49,915/yr), Paducah ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Paducah an affordable city for renters?

Paducah is considered affordable for renters. At $1,118/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($49,915/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Paducah falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Paducah?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $45,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,118/mo in Paducah. The local median household income is $49,915/yr, meaning the typical Paducah household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Paducah?

Rent in Paducah has decreased 1.8% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Paducah rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?

Paducah is one of the more affordable cities in Kentucky for rent, ranking #30 out of 36 tracked cities at $1,118/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Paducah?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Paducah ($1,118/mo): Carbondale ($699/mo), Martin ($961/mo), Marion ($1,065/mo).

What percentage of Paducah residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45% of Paducah households are renters, while 55% are owner-occupied. Paducah leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Paducah rent compare to the national average?

Paducah's median rent of $1,118/mo is $844 (43%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Kentucky, it ranks #30 out of 36 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,118/mo, rent takes ~27% of Paducah's median household income ($49,915/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Paducah 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4%
Run the Paducah affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Paducah, KY

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