4 Most Affordable Places to Live in Kentucky

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Updated on November 7th, 2023

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With the world-famous Kentucky Derby, rolling bluegrass hills, bourbon trails and distillery tours, historic sites, and the Red River Gorge, Kentucky offers a wealth of highlights for anyone living in the state. If Kentucky sounds like the state for you, then you may also be curious about what cities fit into your budget. For example, the median home sale price in Kentucky is $295,000 as of July. 

Don’t worry if that price doesn’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. Redfin has collected a list of the 4 of the most affordable places to live in Kentucky. And they all have a median home sale price under the state’s average. From Hopkinsville to Covington, find out which cities made the list.

river in kentucky during fall

#1: Hopkinsville

Median home price: $17,500
Average sale price per square foot: $121 
Median household income: $40,442 
Nearest major metro: Bowling Green (60 miles)
Hopkinsville, KY homes for sale
Hopkinsville, KY apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $17,500, Hopkinsville claims the first spot on our list of affordable places to live in Kentucky. About 60 miles away from Bowling Green, the nearest major metro, Hopkinsville is home to roughly 31,000 people. Living in Hopkinsville, you can walk along one of the trails that are part of the Hopkinsville Greenway System, check out the downtown area, or explore Jeffers Bend Environmental Center.

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#2: Owensboro

Median home price: $185,400 
Average sale price per square foot: $130 
Median household income: $47,411 
Nearest major metro: Evansville, IN (40 miles)
Owensboro, KY homes for sale
Owensboro, KY apartments for rent

Kentucky’s second most affordable city to live in is Owensboro. When living in this city of 60,200 people, you can visit the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, explore the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, and check out downtown Owensboro.

historic building in covington kentucky

#3: Covington

Median home price: $199,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $153 
Median household income: $47,917 
Nearest major metro: Cincinnati, OH (2 miles)
Covington, KY homes for sale
Covington, KY apartments for rent

Third is Covington where about 40,400 residents currently live. The median home sale price is $199,000 which is about $75K less than the median home sale price in Kentucky. If you find yourself moving here, explore Devou Park where you’ll find a scenic overlook, trails, and the Behringer-Crawford Museum, check out the local shops and restaurants in downtown Covington, and take in the views of the Ohio River. 

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#4: Bowling Green

Median home price: $270,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $160 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $925 
Median household income: $47,411 
Nearest major metro: Nashville (65 miles)
Bowling Green, KY homes for sale
Bowling Green, KY apartments for rent

Only slightly more expensive than Covington is Bowling Green, the final city on our list. With roughly 72,300 residents in Bowling Green, make sure to take a boat tour of the Lost River Cave, visit museums like Historic RailPark & Train Museum or the National Corvette Museum, and check out the Hobson Grove Park.

Methodology: All cities must have over 30,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Kentucky. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during July 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com July 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines here.
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Alison Bentley

Alison is part of the content marketing team and enjoys writing about housing affordability and home interior design ideas. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef’s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.

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