What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday

What a paycheck buys in Kentucky this week

Out of reach · #13 of 50 on affordability · rate for the week of October 22, 2026

A median Kentucky household earning $73,750 a year can afford a home of about $233,000 at this week’s 7.32% average 30-year rate. The median Kentucky listing is $307,775, which would take 37% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.

$233,000

Affordable home price

+$1,534 vs. last week · +$9,119 vs. a year ago

$308,000

Median list price (September 2026)

−$1,675 vs. a year earlier

Affordability index (100 = within reach)

U.S. 66 · Kentucky 72 a year ago

37%

Share of income the median listing takes

$2,275/mo incl. taxes & insurance · U.S. 42.5%

$74,000

Median household income (2025)

U.S. $87,000

#13

Rank of 50 (1 = most affordable)

See the full ranking

Compared with a year ago

A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $309,450 and median income of $64,380 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $224,000 and the median listing took 38.7% of income. Affordability in Kentucky has improved since then.

Nearby in the ranking

#11 Oklahoma: can afford $238,000, median listing $297,000
#12 Minnesota: can afford $300,000, median listing $380,000
#14 Texas: can afford $269,000, median listing $356,000
#15 West Virginia: can afford $195,000, median listing $260,000

Run your own numbers →

How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.