County FMR · HUD FY2026

Hancock County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Hancock County, KY - 19% below the US average.

$774
1-bedroom FMR
$1,016
2-bedroom FMR
-10.0%
YoY change
-19%
vs US avg

The verdict

Hancock is the 37th most expensive of 120 counties in Kentucky by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #1,511 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has fallen 10.0% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.

#1,511
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#37
most expensive of 120 in Kentucky (2BR)
-3%
vs the state average
$30,960
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (8.7%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (34.2%).

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

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Hancock County, Kentucky at $774 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,016/mo and a studio is $769/mo. This is 19% lower than the national average of $959 and 3% below the Kentucky average of $794.

Rent decreased10.0% from FY 2025 ($860), declining against the trend. The 30% affordability floor is comparatively reachable here at $30,960/year.

Observed renter burden: 33.2% of the 764 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: 9,058. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+3.6%, Census ACS). That's faster than Kentucky's statewide growth of +1.6% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area HANCOCK·COUNTY·KY·KY

Hancock County, KY: $774/mo 1BR · #1511 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA KY
  • 1BR-FMR $774
  • 2BR-FMR $1,016
  • RANK-MID #1,511
  • YOY-DOWN -10.0%
  • VSUS-BELOW -19%
  • VS-ST-NEAR -3% KY
  • INC-ROOM 14%
  • POP-SMALL 9K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Jefferson County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $697–$851
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Jefferson ($273 1BR gap)

Read with: Section 8 housing guide

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $719 · US avg: $893
$769/mo
↓ 10.0% YoY +7% vs state -14% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $794 · US avg: $959
$774/mo
↓ 10.0% YoY -3% vs state -19% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $984 · US avg: $1,175
$1,016/mo
↓ 9.9% YoY +3% vs state -14% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,277 · US avg: $1,525
$1,345/mo
↓ 10.0% YoY +5% vs state -12% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,442 · US avg: $1,756
$1,347/mo
↓ 10.0% YoY -7% vs state -23% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $854
$769
$-85 (-10.0%)
1 Bedroom $860
$774
$-86 (-10.0%)
2 Bedroom $1,128
$1,016
$-112 (-9.9%)
3 Bedroom $1,494
$1,345
$-149 (-10.0%)
4 Bedroom $1,496
$1,347
$-149 (-10.0%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
13.8%
Affordable
Need $30,760/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
13.9%
Affordable
Need $30,960/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
18.2%
Affordable
Need $40,640/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
24.1%
Affordable
Need $53,800/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
24.2%
Affordable
Need $53,880/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%18.2%
Hancock County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $66,836 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Kentucky rent burden →

Where Hancock sits among every US county

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

$1,016 higher than 48% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Above this entry. $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 Hancock compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Kentucky counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Hancock is highlighted. Nearby Kentucky counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Fayette County ($1,079), Kenton County ($1,051), Boone County ($1,051), Jefferson County ($1,047), Warren County ($985), Hardin County ($846), Hancock County (this county) ($774).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

With a below-average 1-bedroom at $774/mo, most of these Kentucky occupations clear, or miss, the 30% affordability line.

Occupation KY Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $106,200 8.7% Affordable
Registered Nurses $79,910 11.6% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $77,150 12% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $72,220 12.9% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,230 15.4% Affordable
Electricians $59,490 15.6% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $57,980 16% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $55,590 16.7% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $49,000 19% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $37,630 24.7% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $37,580 24.7% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $30,470 30.5% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $29,450 31.5% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $29,220 31.8% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $27,170 34.2% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Kentucky) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Hancock (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 27.9% overall, from $605 to $774. The path there hasn't been smooth: year-over-year moves have swung by as much as 18.1% (FY 2024), a volatility pattern that makes single-year comparisons a poor guide to the underlying trend.

$500$600$700$800$900 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $774
Hancock County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↓10.0% $769 $774 $1,016
FY 2025 ↑3.6% $854 $860 $1,128
FY 2024 ↑18.1% $825 $830 $1,091
FY 2023 ↑9.7% $699 $703 $926
FY 2022 ↑2.9% $595 $641 $843
FY 2021 ↑3.0% $598 $623 $821
FY 2020 $565 $605 $787
Total change (6yr): +27.9%
Annualized: +4.2%/yr
1 BR: $605 → $774

Where Hancock County Ranks in Kentucky

Hancock County is not part of any federally-designated metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area -- an independent rental market not administratively tied to a larger urban core. By 2-bedroom FMR, it ranks #84 of 120 counties in Kentucky. Nearest by rank: Perry County ($959), Boyd County ($973), Greenup County ($973), Carroll County ($974), Pike County ($977), Owen County ($995), Allen County ($996), Trimble County ($1,001), Hancock County (this county) ($1,016), Nelson County ($1,016), Anderson County ($1,042), Simpson County ($1,055), Hardin County ($1,056), Larue County ($1,056), McCracken County ($1,058), Ballard County ($1,072), Meade County ($1,075).

Perry County
2 BR: $959/mo
Boyd County
2 BR: $973/mo
Greenup County
2 BR: $973/mo
Carroll County
2 BR: $974/mo
Pike County
2 BR: $977/mo
Owen County
2 BR: $995/mo
Allen County
2 BR: $996/mo
Trimble County
2 BR: $1,001/mo
Hancock County (this county)
2 BR: $1,016/mo
Nelson County
2 BR: $1,016/mo
Anderson County
2 BR: $1,042/mo
Simpson County
2 BR: $1,055/mo
Hardin County
2 BR: $1,056/mo
Larue County
2 BR: $1,056/mo
McCracken County
2 BR: $1,058/mo
Ballard County
2 BR: $1,072/mo
Meade County
2 BR: $1,075/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Hancock 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).

Montgomery County
AL · 2 BR $1,016/mo
Elmore County
AL · 2 BR $1,016/mo
Van Buren County
MI · 2 BR $1,016/mo
Autauga County
AL · 2 BR $1,016/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Carroll County
IN · 18.2% of income · 2 BR $973/mo
Guadalupe County
TX · 18.2% of income · 2 BR $1,426/mo
Minnehaha County
SD · 18.2% of income · 2 BR $1,156/mo
Hardin County
TX · 18.2% of income · 2 BR $1,103/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
Fayette County
1 BR: $1,079/mo Pop: 321,276
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
View all counties in Kentucky →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Hancock County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Hancock County is $774 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,016 and a studio is $769.
How does Hancock County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Hancock County is 19% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $774 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Hancock County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Hancock County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,016 ranks #1,511 most affordable among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the middle half of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Hancock County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $30,960 ($2,580/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Hancock County.
Is rent going up or down in Hancock County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Hancock County decreased by 10.0% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $860 to $774.
Which jobs can afford rent in Hancock 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 $774/mo. 11 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Hancock County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Hancock County went from $605 in FY 2020 to $774 in FY 2026, a total change of +27.9% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Hancock County? ▼
In Hancock County, the FY 2026 FMR of $774/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 Hancock County? ▼
For Hancock County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($774/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.