Metro areas in Kentucky: income, rent and home values
Kentucky has 9 metropolitan areas with annual Census data, led by Cincinnati, OH with 2.3 million residents. Household incomes are highest in Cincinnati, OH ($85,866). Renters spend the smallest share of income in Elizabethtown, KY (27.0%) and the largest in Owensboro, KY (38.3%). The fastest-growing metro since 2021 is Louisville, KY (+9.0%).
| Metro area | Population | Median income | Median rent | Home value | Rent / income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH | 2,313,506 | $85,866 | $1,279 | $312,400 | 29.6% |
| Louisville, KY | 1,400,719 | $76,510 | $1,229 | $288,400 | 28.1% |
| Lexington, KY | 535,174 | $74,547 | $1,253 | $319,500 | 29.7% |
| Huntington, WV | 363,645 | $57,395 | $944 | $167,000 | 28.5% |
| Clarksville, TN | 350,353 | $71,125 | $1,331 | $302,900 | 30.2% |
| Bowling Green, KY | 197,766 | $62,013 | $1,051 | $260,700 | 27.4% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | 128,385 | $71,203 | $1,085 | $260,500 | 27.0% |
| Owensboro, KY | 112,489 | $67,094 | $1,005 | $218,100 | 38.3% |
| Paducah, KY | 102,933 | $59,339 | $888 | $196,600 | 37.0% |
Includes 5 metro areas that cross into neighboring states.
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Kentucky at a glance
What is the most affordable metro area in Kentucky for renters?+
Elizabethtown, KY, where renters spend a median 27.0% of household income on rent (2025 Census data).
Which metro area in Kentucky has the highest income?+
Cincinnati, OH, with a median household income of $85,866 in 2025.
How many metro areas are in Kentucky?+
9 metropolitan statistical areas in Kentucky have annual Census estimates (population 65,000+).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 1-year estimates (released September 2026), with 2024 and 2021 for trends. Figures are survey estimates with margins of error; small differences between metros may not be meaningful. Metro areas use the official Metropolitan Statistical Area boundaries. Compiled and analyzed by Metro Research. Methodology.