Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$59,531$4,961 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Nicholas County, KY
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Nicholas County, KY
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Nicholas 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 | $619 | $7,428 | $24,760 | 12.5% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $696 | $8,352 | $27,840 | 14% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $866 | $10,392 | $34,640 | 17.5% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,204 | $14,448 | $48,160 | 24.3% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,311 | $15,732 | $52,440 | 26.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Nicholas County, KY
Based on the local median household income of $59,531/year ($4,961/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 Nicholas County, KY
What is the median household income in Nicholas County, KY?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Nicholas County, KY is $59,531 per year (approximately $4,961 per month).
What is the average rent in Nicholas County, KY?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Nicholas County, KY are $619 for a studio, $696 for 1 bedroom, $866 for 2 bedrooms, $1,204 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,311 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Nicholas County, KY compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Nicholas 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 Nicholas County, KY?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($866/month) in Nicholas 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 Nicholas County, KY?
For a typical household earning the median income of $59,531/year ($4,961/month) in Nicholas County, KY, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,480/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,488/month to discretionary spending, and $992/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Nicholas 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.