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City Report · KY

Paducah

Pop. 26,845·23rd most expensive in Kentucky·Paducah rents are up 12.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,285/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.5%
Month-over-Month
+2.4%
vs US Median
-$680
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Paducah · $1,285
More affordable than 88% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
31% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,285/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$51,000/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
Research median
$1,050/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
$15,420/yr
At $1,285/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 12.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.5% YoY, +2.4% 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 $1,285/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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Paducah is $1,285/mo as of July 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 31% of local median household income ($49,915/yr), Paducah ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Paducah an affordable city for renters?

Paducah is considered moderate for renters. At $1,285/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($49,915/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Paducah slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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 $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,285/mo in Paducah. The local median household income is $49,915/yr, meaning the typical Paducah household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Paducah?

Rent in Paducah has increased 12.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Paducah rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?

Paducah is middle-of-the-pack for Kentucky for rent, ranking #23 out of 39 tracked cities at $1,285/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Paducah?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Paducah ($1,285/mo): Carbondale ($749/mo), Martin ($930/mo), Marion ($1,071/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 $1,285/mo is $680 (35%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kentucky, it ranks #23 out of 39 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $1,285/mo, rent takes ~31% of Paducah's median household income ($49,915/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Paducah 31%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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