ZIP Code · KY

ZIP 42103

Part of Bowling Green, KY

Pop. 21,911·Warren County·48th most expensive ZIP in Kentucky

Median rent (all units)

$1,310/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.5%

Month-over-Month

+1.5%

vs US Median

-$622

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 42103 · $1,310

More affordable than 86% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$990

1 BR

$1,090

2 BR

$1,280

3 BR

$1,540

4 BR+

$2,010

Research median

$1,280/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Kentucky

Rent in ZIP 42103 changed +3.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 63 Kentucky ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.3%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($87,689) is $2,192 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,010).

Rank in Bowling Green

3rd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Bowling Green.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 42103. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$15,720/yr

At $1,310/mo median

Location

CityBowling Green

StateKY

CountyWarren County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 3.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.5% YoY, +1.5% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 42103 (Bowling Green, KY) is majority owner-occupied, 47.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

21,911

Median income

$87,689

Median age

41.8

Renters

37%

Age distribution

19.2%

22.6%

25%

15.1%

18%

Under 1819.2%

18–3422.6%

35–5425%

55–6415.1%

65+18%

Gender

50.5%

49.5%

Male50.5%

Female49.5%

Race & ethnicity

87.6%

White87.6%

Black4.7%

Hispanic3.2%

Asian3.6%

Other0.9%

Education (25+)

23%

24.7%

47.4%

No HS diploma4.9%

HS diploma23%

Some college24.7%

Bachelor's+47.4%

Housing tenure

63%

37%

Owner63%

Renter37%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 42103 in Bowling Green, KY has changed in 5 years

Income

$72,288 → $87,689

up 21.3%

Population

21,440 → 21,911

up 2.2%

Renter share

40.2% → 37%

-3.2 pts

Bachelor's+

47.9% → 47.4%

-0.5 pts

Median age

36.9 → 41.8

+4.9 yrs

Median household income grew from $72,288 to $87,689 between 2021 and 2024, a 21.3% shift. Headcount in the area went from 21,440 to 21,911 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.2% change. About 37% of households rent today, against 40.2% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 42103

About renting in ZIP 42103

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 42103 covers Bowling Green, KY. The median rent here is $1,310/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,090/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,280/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($87,689/yr), ZIP 42103 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 42103?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (about $25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,310/mo in ZIP 42103. The local median household income is $87,689/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 42103?

Rent in ZIP 42103 has risen 3.5% over the past year.

How does ZIP 42103 compare to other ZIPs in Kentucky?

ZIP 42103 is in the middle among Kentucky ZIP codes for rent, ranking #48 of 78 at $1,310/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 42103 changed +3.5%, against a typical +3.3% across the 63 Kentucky ZIP codes Zillow tracks.