Kentucky · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in McCreary County, KY

Prices around McCreary County, KY run 9.8% below the U.S. average (BEA, Kentucky). The typical household there earns $33,750 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $866 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $34,640 a year.

McCreary County, KY at a glance

Median household income

$33,750$2,813 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$866HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)90.2-9.8% · BEA, Kentucky
Electricity14.3¢per kWh · EIA Residential KY
Population16,867Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in McCreary County, KY?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$866Monthly market rent
Share of gross income30.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$34,640To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$844At 30% of $33,750
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in McCreary County, KY? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for McCreary County, KY, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in McCreary County, KY, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$619$7,428$24,76022%
1-Bedroom Apartment$790$9,480$31,60028.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$866$10,392$34,64030.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,069$12,828$42,76038%
4-Bedroom Home$1,209$14,508$48,36043%

Rent in McCreary County, KY, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in McCreary County, KY

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $33,750 a year ($2,813 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$1,406/moRent ($866 2-BR), utilities (~$128/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$844/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$563/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $33,750 leaves after Kentucky taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Kentucky tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$33,750
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,750
Net 84%
Fed 6%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,234After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,353Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,086Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,870 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$1,064 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,582 / yr

Living in McCreary County, KY: common questions

What is the median household income in McCreary County, KY?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in McCreary County, KY is $33,750 per year (approximately $2,813 per month).

What is the average rent in McCreary County, KY?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $619 for a studio, $790 for one bedroom, $866 for two, $1,069 for three and $1,209 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is McCreary County, KY expensive to live in?

Prices there run 9.8% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Kentucky is 90.2, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in McCreary County, KY?

To keep a $866 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $34,640 a year, or $2,887 a month. That is 103% of what the typical household in McCreary County, KY earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in McCreary County, KY?

On the local median income of $33,750 ($2,813 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $1,406 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $844 for everything else and $563 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $866 takes 62% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in McCreary County, KY?

Homes in Kentucky paid 14.3¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $128. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.