Cost of Living in Barren County, Kentucky
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Barren County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Barren County ranks #1,207 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 38%)
Sourced county brief
Barren County Median Gross Rent Matches Kentucky County Mean
Barren County's median gross rent was estimated at $796 per month, which closely aligns with the Kentucky unweighted county mean of $793. According to official ACS B25071 data, the median gross rent as a percentage of household income is 28.6%. This official GRAPI figure is 1.4 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean of 27.2%. The median home value in the county was recorded at $178,000, which is $17,165 above the state unweighted county mean of $160,835. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units are $810, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $753. The median income for renter households in the county was $32,650. These housing statistics are provided as a snapshot from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. See ACS table B25064 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Barren County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.6% of renter household income in Barren County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $796 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $810. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $31,840 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Kentucky unweighted mean of county median rents is $793 per month. Barren County's $796 median is 0.3% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Barren County
Rent Burden
18.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,181
per month
Owner Cost Burden
19.2%
of gross income
The median home in Barren County may be a stretch
Median home value is $178,000. Estimated monthly cost: $1,421 vs. your max of $1,181.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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