County FMR · HUD FY2026

Fayette County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Fayette County, KY - 13% above the US average.

$1,079
1-bedroom FMR
$1,272
2-bedroom FMR
+9.9%
YoY change
+13%
vs US avg

The verdict

Fayette is the 16th most expensive of 120 counties in Kentucky by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #818 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 9.9% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.

#818
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#16
most expensive of 120 in Kentucky (2BR)
+36%
vs the state average
$43,160
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (12.2%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (47.7%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Fayette County, KY. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Fayette County, Kentucky at $1,079 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,272/mo and a studio is $883/mo. This is 13% higher than the national average of $959 and 36% above the Kentucky average of $794.

Rent increased9.9% from FY 2025 ($982), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $43,160/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 46.9% of the 63,922 renter households counted by ACS paid at least 30% of income in gross rent. This ACS 2023 household measure is distinct from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent benchmark above.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Kentucky. Population: 321,276. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+0.7%, Census ACS). That's in line with Kentucky's statewide growth of +1.6% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area FAYETTE·COUNTY·KY·KY

Fayette County, KY: $1,079/mo 1BR · #818 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA KY
  • 1BR-FMR $1,079
  • 2BR-FMR $1,272
  • RANK-MID #818
  • YOY-SURGE +9.9%
  • VSUS-ABOVE +13%
  • VS-ST-HIGH +36% KY
  • INC-ROOM 19%
  • POP-MAJOR 321K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Jefferson County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $971–$1,187
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Jefferson ($32 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $719 · US avg: $893
$883/mo
↑ 10.5% YoY +23% vs state -1% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $794 · US avg: $959
$1,079/mo
↑ 9.9% YoY +36% vs state +13% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $984 · US avg: $1,175
$1,272/mo
↑ 9.2% YoY +29% vs state +8% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,277 · US avg: $1,525
$1,743/mo
↑ 10.1% YoY +36% vs state +14% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,442 · US avg: $1,756
$1,940/mo
↑ 8.9% YoY +35% vs state +10% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $799
$883
+$84 (+10.5%)
1 Bedroom $982
$1,079
+$97 (+9.9%)
2 Bedroom $1,165
$1,272
+$107 (+9.2%)
3 Bedroom $1,583
$1,743
+$160 (+10.1%)
4 Bedroom $1,781
$1,940
+$159 (+8.9%)

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Fayette County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
15.7%
Affordable
Need $35,320/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
19.1%
Affordable
Need $43,160/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
22.6%
Affordable
Need $50,880/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
30.9%
Burdened
Need $69,720/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
34.4%
Burdened
Need $77,600/yr for 30% rule
How we calculate this

Rent burden = (FMR × 12) ÷ county median household income. Required income = (FMR × 12) ÷ 0.3, the federal 30%-of-gross-income rule HUD uses to define cost burden. Median household income is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey; FMR is from HUD's FY2026 release. See methodology.

0%100%National avg22%22.6%
Fayette County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $67,631 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Kentucky rent burden →

Where Fayette sits among every US county

2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties

$1,272 Top 26% higher than 74% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). Below this entry. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). Below this entry. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). This entry sits in this band. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). Above this entry. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). Above this entry. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,200: 29 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,200–$2,400: 40 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,600: 13 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,600–$2,800: 9 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,800–$3,000: 15 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,000–$3,200: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,200–$3,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,400–$3,600: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,600–$3,800: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,800–$4,000: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,000–$4,200: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,200–$4,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. This county $600 $4,400 every US county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.2K-wide band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents · FY2026

How Fayette compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Kentucky counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Fayette is highlighted. Nearby Kentucky counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Fayette County (this county) ($1,079), Kenton County ($1,051), Boone County ($1,051), Jefferson County ($1,047), Warren County ($985), Hardin County ($846), Daviess County ($846).

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) As of FY2026

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $1,079/mo compares to Kentucky salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation KY Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $106,200 12.2% Affordable
Registered Nurses $79,910 16.2% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $77,150 16.8% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $72,220 17.9% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,230 21.5% Affordable
Electricians $59,490 21.8% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $57,980 22.3% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $55,590 23.3% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $49,000 26.4% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $37,630 34.4% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $37,580 34.5% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $30,470 42.5% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $29,450 44% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $29,220 44.3% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $27,170 47.7% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Kentucky) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Fayette County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Fayette (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 59.1% overall, from $678 to $1,079. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +16.3% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$600$700$800$900$1,000$1,100 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,079
Fayette County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑9.9% $883 $1,079 $1,272
FY 2025 ↓0.1% $799 $982 $1,165
FY 2024 ↑16.3% $802 $983 $1,177
FY 2023 ↑14.0% $706 $845 $1,025
FY 2022 ↑1.8% $632 $741 $912
FY 2021 ↑7.4% $630 $728 $910
FY 2020 $597 $678 $858
Total change (6yr): +59.1%
Annualized: +8.1%/yr
1 BR: $678 → $1,079

Part of the Lexington-Fayette, KY Metro Area

Fayette County is a central county of the Lexington-Fayette, KY metropolitan statistical area, alongside 5 other metro-area counties.

Fayette County ranks #6 of 6 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Scott County ($1,079), Jessamine County ($1,079), Clark County ($1,079), Woodford County ($1,079), Bourbon County ($1,079), Fayette County (this county) ($1,079).

Scott County
1 BR: $1,079/mo
Jessamine County
1 BR: $1,079/mo
Clark County
1 BR: $1,079/mo
Woodford County
1 BR: $1,079/mo
Bourbon County
1 BR: $1,079/mo
Fayette County (this county)
1 BR: $1,079/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Fayette County, both outside Kentucky so the link neighborhoods are not the same-state geography lattice above. Axes stay disjoint: burden peers exclude the FMR peer set.

Similar 2-bedroom FMR

Nearest HUD 2BR Fair Market Rents outside KY (FY2026).

Clark County
IN · 2 BR $1,272/mo
Floyd County
IN · 2 BR $1,272/mo
Lyon County
NV · 2 BR $1,272/mo
Harrison County
IN · 2 BR $1,272/mo

Similar rent burden

Nearest 2BR FMR as a share of median household income (outside KY).

Franklin County
ID · 22.6% of income · 2 BR $1,241/mo
Eastland County
TX · 22.6% of income · 2 BR $973/mo
Montour County
PA · 22.6% of income · 2 BR $1,372/mo
Lauderdale County
TN · 22.6% of income · 2 BR $925/mo

Nearby Counties in Kentucky

Largest counties by population in Kentucky

Showing the 8 largest of 119 other counties in Kentucky.

Jefferson County
1 BR: $1,047/mo Pop: 779,232
Kenton County
1 BR: $1,051/mo Pop: 169,066
Boone County
1 BR: $1,051/mo Pop: 136,150
Warren County
1 BR: $985/mo Pop: 135,307
Hardin County
1 BR: $846/mo Pop: 111,005
Daviess County
1 BR: $846/mo Pop: 102,916
Campbell County
1 BR: $1,051/mo Pop: 93,122
Madison County
1 BR: $785/mo Pop: 92,955
View all counties in Kentucky →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Fayette County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Fayette County is $1,079 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,272 and a studio is $883.
How does Fayette County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Fayette County is 13% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,079 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Fayette County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Fayette County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,272 ranks #818 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the middle half of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Fayette County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $43,160 ($3,597/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Fayette County.
Is rent going up or down in Fayette County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Fayette County increased by 9.9% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $982 to $1,079.
Which jobs can afford rent in Fayette County? ▼
Based on Kentucky BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, Registered Nurses, General and Operations Managers can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,079/mo. 9 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Fayette County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Fayette County went from $678 in FY 2020 to $1,079 in FY 2026, a total change of +59.1% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Fayette County? ▼
In Fayette County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,079/mo for a 1-bedroom sets the baseline that local housing authorities use for Section 8 payment standards.
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Fayette County? ▼
For Fayette County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,079/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD Fair Market Rents. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

All federal data sources used on this page
  • HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) - county-level fair-market rent estimates by bedroom count. huduser.gov/datasets/fmr
  • HUD Income Limits - area median income for affordability calculations. huduser.gov/datasets/il
  • HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) - rent burden and housing-cost distribution. huduser.gov/datasets/cp
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - county and metro housing characteristics + median rent. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Consumer Price Index, Rent of Primary Residence - rent inflation by metro. bls.gov/cpi
  • IRS Migration Data (SOI) - interstate migration aggregates affecting county demand. irs.gov/statistics/migration
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - state-level median wages by occupation, used for job affordability analysis. bls.gov/oes

Every figure on PlainRent is rendered directly from HUD's published Fair Market Rent records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of FY 2026.