At $1,431/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above 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 $1,431 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 Winchester changed +6.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 26 Kentucky cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.2%.
Rent rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($54,378) is $1,359 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,060); a 3-bedroom is $1,440.
Richmond, 17 miles away, rents for 23% less ($1,109/mo), about $3,900 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Winchester. 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
Winchester, KY is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 22.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Winchester, KY has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $47,034 in 2021 to $54,378 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 18,993 to 19,213 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.2% change. About 39.5% of households rent today, against 42.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 19% to 22.4%.
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Can you afford rent in Winchester on your salary?
At $1,431/mo, how Winchester rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Winchester rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Winchester. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Winchester
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Winchester is $1,431/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $730/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,060/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $890/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,440/mo.
At 32% of local median household income ($54,378/yr), Winchester ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Winchester?
How does Winchester rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?
At $1,431/mo, rent takes ~32% of Winchester's median household income ($54,378/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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