Kentucky · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Rowan County, KY

The median household in Rowan County, KY earns $54,321 a year ($4,527/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $911/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $36,440 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 9.8% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$54,321$4,527 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$911HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)90.2-9.8% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.3¢per kWh · EIA Residential KY
Census Population24,578Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$911Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$36,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,358At 30% of $54,321
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Rowan County, KY

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Rowan 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 Rowan County, KY
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$628$7,536$25,12013.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$735$8,820$29,40016.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$911$10,932$36,44020.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,156$13,872$46,24025.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,528$18,336$61,12033.8%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Rowan County, KY →

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

Based on the local median household income of $54,321/year ($4,527/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,263/moRent ($911 2-BR), utilities (~$128/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,358/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.2 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$905/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.

$54,321
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$54,321
Net 81%
Fed 8%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$44,043After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,670Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,694Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,339 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$1,784 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,156 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Rowan County, KY

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Rowan County, KY is $54,321 per year (approximately $4,527 per month).

What is the average rent in Rowan County, KY?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Rowan County, KY are $628 for a studio, $735 for 1 bedroom, $911 for 2 bedrooms, $1,156 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,528 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Rowan 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 Rowan County, KY?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($911/month) in Rowan County, KY requires a minimum gross household income of $36,440 per year ($3,037 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $54,321/year ($4,527/month) in Rowan County, KY, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,263/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,358/month to discretionary spending, and $905/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Rowan 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.