Cost of Living in Caldwell 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 Caldwell County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Caldwell County ranks #661 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 21%)
Sourced county brief
Caldwell County Median Home Value Estimated at $118,500
Caldwell County’s median home value was estimated at $118,500 according to the ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates. This figure is below the Kentucky unweighted county mean home value of $160,835. The median gross rent in the county was recorded at $767 per month, while the state’s unweighted county mean was $793. For owner-occupied units, the median selected monthly owner cost was $668, which is less than the state unweighted county mean of $753. The official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income, or GRAPI, was 26.3%. This official metric differs from the Kentucky unweighted county mean GRAPI of 27.2% by 0.9 percentage points. The median renter-household income was $33,821, compared to the median income of $59,583 for all households in the county. These figures provide a statistical snapshot of housing costs relative to income during the reporting period. See ACS table B25071 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: Caldwell County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 26.3% of renter household income in Caldwell 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 $767 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $668. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $30,680 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. Caldwell County's $767 median is 3.3% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Caldwell County
Rent Burden
15.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,390
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.5%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Caldwell County
Median home value is $118,500. Estimated monthly cost: $946 vs. your max of $1,390.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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
What is the cost of living in Caldwell County, Kentucky?
What is the median rent in Caldwell County?
Is Caldwell County affordable?
How does Caldwell County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Caldwell County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Caldwell County, Kentucky? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Caldwell County
Whether you're buying in Caldwell County, Kentucky, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
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.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.