Cost of Living in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Jefferson County ranks #2,559 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 19%)
Sourced county brief
Jefferson County Median Gross Rent Reaches $1,149 Per Month
Median gross rent in Jefferson County was estimated at $1,149, which is $356 above the Kentucky unweighted county mean of $793. The official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 28.8%. This is 1.6 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 27.2%. The median home value was recorded at $248,400, which is higher than the state unweighted county mean of $160,835. Median selected monthly owner costs are $1,209, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $753. The median income for renter-households in the county was $44,530. These figures are derived from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey estimates and provide an overview of housing tenure costs. 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: Jefferson County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.8% of renter household income in Jefferson 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 $1,149 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,209. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $45,960 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. Jefferson County's $1,149 median is 44.8% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Jefferson County
Rent Burden
19.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,630
per month
Owner Cost Burden
20.8%
of gross income
The median home in Jefferson County may be a stretch
Median home value is $248,400. Estimated monthly cost: $1,983 vs. your max of $1,630.
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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