Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Median home value
1990–2024Census / Zillow ZHVI, nominal dollars.
Home Prices
Home prices in Kentucky rose from about $124,000 in 2010 to $186,000 in 2024, a slower pace of appreciation than the national average.
FHFA House Price Index
1975–2025FHFA all-transactions index, annual average of quarters. Source: FHFA via FRED (KYSTHPI).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 10-yr appreciation (%) | 44 | 75 |
Median Home Value
Kentucky's median home value is about $186,000, among the most affordable in the country.
Median value of owner-occupied homes
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25077 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (USD) | 186000 | 360000 |
Rent Prices
The median monthly rent in Kentucky is about $880, among the lowest in the nation.
Rent of primary residence index (South region)
2006–2025BLS CPI-U, South region, annual average (CUUR0300SEHA).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent (USD/mo) | 880 | 1350 |
Housing Inventory
Kentucky has about 2.02 million total housing units, with a vacancy rate near 10.2%.
Total housing units
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25001 (2020 not released).
Vacant housing units
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25002 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Housing units (millions) | 2.02 | 146 |
Building Permits
Kentucky issued roughly 15,000 residential building permits in 2023, with growth concentrated around Louisville, Lexington and Bowling Green.
New private housing units authorized
1988–2025Census Building Permits Survey, sum of 12 months (FRED KYBPPRIV).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.3 | 4.4 |
Homeownership Rate
Kentucky's homeownership rate is 68.5%, above the national average, aided by low home prices.
Homeownership rate (CPS/HVS)
1984–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED KYHOWN).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Homeownership rate (%) | 68.5 | 65.7 |
Housing Affordability
Kentucky offers some of the most affordable housing in the country, with home prices well below median household income multiples seen elsewhere.
Housing price level vs U.S. (RPP rents)
2008–2024BEA Regional Price Parities, housing services (SARPP line 3).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Housing price level vs U.S. (RPP rents)2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 64.3 | 100 |
| Home value-to-income ratio | 3.1 | 4.6 |
Vacancy Rate
Kentucky's housing vacancy rate is about 10.2%, close to the national average.
Rental vacancy rate
1986–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED KYRVAC).
Homeowner vacancy rate
1986–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED KYHVAC).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Vacancy rate (%) | 10.2 | 11 |