Kentucky · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in McCracken County, KY

The median household in McCracken County, KY earns $64,373 a year ($5,364/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,058/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $42,320 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 13.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$64,373$5,364 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,058HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)86.1-13.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.3¢per kWh · EIA Residential KY
Census Population67,564Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,058Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$42,320To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,609At 30% of $64,373
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: McCracken County, KY

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for McCracken County, KY 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 McCracken County, KY
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$729$8,748$29,16013.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$851$10,212$34,04015.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,058$12,696$42,32019.7%
3-Bedroom Home$1,269$15,228$50,76023.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,775$21,300$71,00033.1%

See dedicated rental breakdown for McCracken County, KY →

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

Based on the local median household income of $64,373/year ($5,364/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,682/moRent ($1,058 2-BR), utilities (~$128/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,609/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 86.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,073/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.

$64,373
$25,000$130,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$64,373
Net 80%
Fed 9%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$51,768After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,314Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,991Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,545 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$2,135 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,925 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in McCracken County, KY

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in McCracken County, KY is $64,373 per year (approximately $5,364 per month).

What is the average rent in McCracken County, KY?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in McCracken County, KY are $729 for a studio, $851 for 1 bedroom, $1,058 for 2 bedrooms, $1,269 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,775 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in McCracken County, KY is 86.1 (13.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,058/month) in McCracken County, KY requires a minimum gross household income of $42,320 per year ($3,527 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $64,373/year ($5,364/month) in McCracken County, KY, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,682/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,609/month to discretionary spending, and $1,073/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in McCracken 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.