Kentucky · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Boone County, KY

The median household in Boone County, KY earns $99,414 a year ($8,285/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,353/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $54,120 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 4.6% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$99,414$8,285 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,353HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)95.4-4.6% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.3¢per kWh · EIA Residential KY
Census Population139,841Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Boone County, KY

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,353Monthly market rent
Share of gross income16.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$54,120To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,485At 30% of $99,414
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Boone County, KY

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Boone County, KY
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$958$11,496$38,32011.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,051$12,612$42,04012.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,353$16,236$54,12016.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,785$21,420$71,40021.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,976$23,712$79,04023.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Boone County, KY →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Boone County, KY

Based on the local median household income of $99,414/year ($8,285/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$4,142/moRent ($1,353 2-BR), utilities (~$128/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,485/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 95.4 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,657/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Kentucky

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Kentucky state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$99,414
$35,000$200,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$99,414
Net 76%
Fed 13%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$75,406After all taxes
Monthly deposit$6,284Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,900Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate24.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$13,041 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$3,362 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,605 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Kentucky with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Boone County, KY

What is the median household income in Boone County, KY?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Boone County, KY is $99,414 per year (approximately $8,285 per month).

What is the average rent in Boone County, KY?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Boone County, KY are $958 for a studio, $1,051 for 1 bedroom, $1,353 for 2 bedrooms, $1,785 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,976 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Boone County, KY compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Boone County, KY is 95.4 (4.6% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Boone County, KY?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,353/month) in Boone County, KY requires a minimum gross household income of $54,120 per year ($4,510 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Boone County, KY?

For a typical household earning the median income of $99,414/year ($8,285/month) in Boone County, KY, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $4,142/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,485/month to discretionary spending, and $1,657/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Boone County, KY?

Residential electricity rates in Kentucky average 14.3¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $128 per month.