Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$69,479$5,790 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Lexington-Fayette, KY MSA. 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 | $883 | $10,596 | $35,320 | 15.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,079 | $12,948 | $43,160 | 18.6% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,272 | $15,264 | $50,880 | 22% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,743 | $20,916 | $69,720 | 30.1% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,940 | $23,280 | $77,600 | 33.5% |
See dedicated rental breakdown for Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY →
50/30/20 Living Budget in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
Based on the local median household income of $69,479/year ($5,790/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 Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
What is the median household income in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY is $69,479 per year (approximately $5,790 per month).
What is the average rent in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY are $883 for a studio, $1,079 for 1 bedroom, $1,272 for 2 bedrooms, $1,743 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,940 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY is 92.9 (7.1% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,272/month) in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY requires a minimum gross household income of $50,880 per year ($4,240 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY?
For a typical household earning the median income of $69,479/year ($5,790/month) in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,895/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,737/month to discretionary spending, and $1,158/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Lexington-Fayette urban 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.