Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$41,693$3,474 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Harlan County, KY
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Harlan County, KY
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Harlan County, KY. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $694 | $8,328 | $27,760 | 20% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $699 | $8,388 | $27,960 | 20.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $866 | $10,392 | $34,640 | 24.9% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,142 | $13,704 | $45,680 | 32.9% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,147 | $13,764 | $45,880 | 33% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Harlan County, KY
Based on the local median household income of $41,693/year ($3,474/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Kentucky with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Harlan County, KY
What is the median household income in Harlan County, KY?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Harlan County, KY is $41,693 per year (approximately $3,474 per month).
What is the average rent in Harlan County, KY?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Harlan County, KY are $694 for a studio, $699 for 1 bedroom, $866 for 2 bedrooms, $1,142 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,147 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Harlan County, KY compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Harlan 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 Harlan County, KY?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($866/month) in Harlan 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 Harlan County, KY?
For a typical household earning the median income of $41,693/year ($3,474/month) in Harlan County, KY, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,737/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,042/month to discretionary spending, and $695/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Harlan 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.