Most expensive cities for renters in Kentucky
Cities in Kentucky ranked by highest median rent. Cities with 15,000+ residents. Updated monthly.
Key findings
- Burlington ranks first, with a median rent of $2,149/mo.
- Across all 22 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,339/mo.
Data as of September 2026. Median rent from RentDataNow's monthly city data (Zillow's rent index where Zillow covers the city). Rank a year ago compares the same cities' rent 12 months earlier. Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)
Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordableMost expensiveRent fallingRent risingBest rent/incomeMost rent-burdenedRecord-high rentSeasonal swingsRent vs. income
22 cities
| Rank | City | Median rent | 1-yr change | 5-yr change | Rent/income | Vs. a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | BurlingtonKY | $2,149/mo | +13.5% | -- | 23.6% | ↑1 from #2 |
| 02 | IndependenceKY | $2,000/mo | +5.3% | -- | 23.4% | ↓1 from #1 |
| 03 | ShelbyvilleKY | $1,639/mo | 0.0% | -- | 26.0% | -- |
| 04 | LexingtonKY | $1,631/mo | +3.8% | +35.0% | -- | ↓1 from #3 |
| 05 | GeorgetownKY | $1,581/mo | +2.9% | -- | 23.7% | ↓1 from #4 |
| 06 | FlorenceKY | $1,522/mo | +2.4% | +24.2% | 25.7% | ↓1 from #5 |
| 07 | CovingtonKY | $1,513/mo | +5.6% | +33.9% | 29.7% | ↓1 from #6 |
| 08 | NicholasvilleKY | $1,454/mo | +4.2% | +46.0% | 25.5% | ↓1 from #7 |
| 09 | WinchesterKY | $1,431/mo | +6.7% | -- | 31.6% | ↓1 from #8 |
| 10 | Fort ThomasKY | $1,386/mo | +8.1% | -- | 15.9% | ↑1 from #11 |
| 11 | ElizabethtownKY | $1,339/mo | +0.9% | -- | 26.4% | ↓2 from #9 |
| 12 | LouisvilleKY | $1,330/mo | +2.1% | +27.3% | -- | ↓2 from #10 |
| 13 | ErlangerKY | $1,318/mo | +5.3% | -- | 20.9% | ↓1 from #12 |
| 14 | OwensboroKY | $1,259/mo | +2.8% | -- | 26.8% | ↓1 from #13 |
| 15 | Bowling GreenKY | $1,240/mo | +1.6% | +21.2% | 30.4% | ↓1 from #14 |
| 16 | PaducahKY | $1,168/mo | +9.4% | -- | 28.1% | same |
| 17 | MurrayKY | $1,116/mo | +4.8% | -- | 30.4% | same |
| 18 | RichmondKY | $1,109/mo | +1.8% | +30.5% | 26.2% | ↓3 from #15 |
| 19 | HopkinsvilleKY | $1,035/mo | +3.7% | -- | 25.3% | ↓1 from #18 |
| 20 | FrankfortKY | $989/mo | +0.4% | +35.3% | 22.4% | ↓1 from #19 |
| 21 | GlasgowKY | $988/mo | 0.0% | -- | 27.5% | -- |
| 22 | RadcliffKY | $934/mo | +1.5% | -- | 19.1% | ↓2 from #20 |