Kentucky · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Fulton County, KY

The median household in Fulton County, KY earns $38,217 a year ($3,185/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $866/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $34,640 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 9.8% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$38,217$3,185 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$866HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)90.2-9.8% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.3¢per kWh · EIA Residential KY
Census Population6,409Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$866Monthly market rent
Share of gross income27.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$34,640To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$955At 30% of $38,217
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Fulton County, KY

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Fulton County, KY. 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 Fulton County, KY
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$619$7,428$24,76019.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$660$7,920$26,40020.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$866$10,392$34,64027.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,204$14,448$48,16037.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,453$17,436$58,12045.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Fulton County, KY →

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

Based on the local median household income of $38,217/year ($3,185/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$1,592/moRent ($866 2-BR), utilities (~$128/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$955/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.2 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$637/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.

$38,217
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,217
Net 83%
Fed 6%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,667After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,639Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,218Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,406 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$1,220 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,924 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Fulton County, KY

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Fulton County, KY is $38,217 per year (approximately $3,185 per month).

What is the average rent in Fulton County, KY?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Fulton County, KY are $619 for a studio, $660 for 1 bedroom, $866 for 2 bedrooms, $1,204 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,453 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Fulton County, KY is 90.2 (9.8% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($866/month) in Fulton County, KY requires a minimum gross household income of $34,640 per year ($2,887 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $38,217/year ($3,185/month) in Fulton County, KY, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,592/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $955/month to discretionary spending, and $637/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Fulton 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.