Section 8 Rent Limits in Kentucky for FY2027: Fair Market Rent for Every County
There is no single Section 8 rent limit for Kentucky. HUD publishes one Fair Market Rent per county, 120 of them for FY2027, and the 2-bedroom figure stretches from $909 (Adair County) to $1,442 (Pendleton County). The median county is $925. Your housing authority's payment standard, the number that actually caps your lease, is set between 90% and 110% of the figure for your county.
Compared with FY2026, the 2-bedroom figure rose in 113 counties and fell in 7. The largest increase was Trimble County ($1,001 to $1,175, +17.4%); the steepest cut was Hancock County ($1,016 to $962, -5.3%). Two metros in Kentucky are on HUD's mandatory Small Area FMR list (Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN; Louisville, KY-IN), where the limit is set ZIP code by ZIP code instead of by county; the county figure there is only an average.
Reading the table. These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the basis for payment standards, not the standards themselves. Each housing authority picks a point between 90% and 110% of the FMR for each bedroom size and publishes it as its payment standard. The voucher then pays the standard (or the actual gross rent, if lower) minus about 30% of your adjusted income. Utilities you pay yourself count against the ceiling through a utility allowance.
FY2027 Fair Market Rents by Metro Area in Kentucky
HUD groups counties into FMR areas; a metro's figure applies to every county inside it. "ZIP-level" marks mandatory Small Area FMR metros.
| FMR area | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | 2 BR vs FY2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen County, KY | $774 | $779 | $1,019 | $1,293 | $1,624 | +2.3% |
| Ballard County, KY | $822 | $902 | $1,180 | $1,406 | $1,551 | +10.1% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $920 | $1,020 | $1,199 | $1,438 | $1,959 | +4.0% |
| Butler County, KY | $690 | $695 | $909 | $1,190 | $1,195 | +5.0% |
| Carlisle County, KY | $649 | $798 | $932 | $1,272 | $1,316 | +1.9% |
| Carter County, KY | $745 | $749 | $909 | $1,246 | $1,285 | +5.0% |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN (ZIP-level) | $1,052 | $1,128 | $1,442 | $1,897 | $2,141 | +6.6% |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $1,061 | $1,068 | $1,307 | $1,786 | $2,185 | -2.9% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $860 | $866 | $1,087 | $1,505 | $1,817 | +2.9% |
| Grant County, KY | $840 | $899 | $1,146 | $1,365 | $1,692 | -0.8% |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $858 | $864 | $1,006 | $1,287 | $1,393 | +3.4% |
| Lawrence County, KY | $794 | $799 | $971 | $1,157 | $1,372 | +4.9% |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $986 | $1,205 | $1,416 | $1,948 | $2,108 | +11.3% |
| Livingston County, KY | $850 | $937 | $1,220 | $1,454 | $1,723 | +5.4% |
| Louisville, KY-IN (ZIP-level) | $976 | $1,058 | $1,276 | $1,629 | $1,874 | +0.3% |
| McCracken County, KY | $788 | $924 | $1,131 | $1,348 | $1,616 | +6.9% |
| Meade County, KY | $799 | $804 | $1,052 | $1,443 | $1,549 | -2.1% |
| Nelson County, KY | $777 | $781 | $1,022 | $1,302 | $1,587 | +0.6% |
| Owensboro, KY | $864 | $870 | $1,138 | $1,507 | $1,516 | +2.5% |
| Shelby County, KY | $873 | $998 | $1,149 | $1,369 | $1,692 | +0.5% |
FY2027 Fair Market Rents for Every County in Kentucky
All 120 counties, alphabetical. Studio figures are in the metro table above.
| County | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | 2 BR vs FY2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adair County | $725 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,310 | +5.0% |
| Allen County | $779 | $1,019 | $1,293 | $1,624 | +2.3% |
| Anderson County | $1,020 | $1,121 | $1,377 | $1,566 | +7.6% |
| Ballard County | $902 | $1,180 | $1,406 | $1,551 | +10.1% |
| Barren County | $700 | $916 | $1,171 | $1,331 | +5.5% |
| Bath County | $695 | $909 | $1,124 | $1,320 | +5.0% |
| Bell County | $787 | $909 | $1,133 | $1,352 | +5.0% |
| Boone County | $1,128 | $1,442 | $1,897 | $2,141 | +6.6% |
| Bourbon County | $1,205 | $1,416 | $1,948 | $2,108 | +11.3% |
| Boyd County | $864 | $1,006 | $1,287 | $1,393 | +3.4% |
| Boyle County | $725 | $925 | $1,183 | $1,216 | +1.3% |
| Bracken County | $1,128 | $1,442 | $1,897 | $2,141 | +6.6% |
| Breathitt County | $703 | $909 | $1,242 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Breckinridge County | $720 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,329 | +5.0% |
| Bullitt County | $1,058 | $1,276 | $1,629 | $1,874 | +0.3% |
| Butler County | $695 | $909 | $1,190 | $1,195 | +5.0% |
| Caldwell County | $695 | $909 | $1,083 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Calloway County | $883 | $1,155 | $1,376 | $1,518 | +5.2% |
| Campbell County | $1,128 | $1,442 | $1,897 | $2,141 | +6.6% |
| Carlisle County | $798 | $932 | $1,272 | $1,316 | +1.9% |
| Carroll County | $819 | $1,072 | $1,277 | $1,409 | +10.1% |
| Carter County | $749 | $909 | $1,246 | $1,285 | +5.0% |
| Casey County | $835 | $909 | $1,083 | $1,195 | +5.0% |
| Christian County | $1,068 | $1,307 | $1,786 | $2,185 | -2.9% |
| Clark County | $1,205 | $1,416 | $1,948 | $2,108 | +11.3% |
| Clay County | $835 | $909 | $1,254 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Clinton County | $695 | $909 | $1,083 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Crittenden County | $759 | $909 | $1,083 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Cumberland County | $819 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Daviess County | $870 | $1,138 | $1,507 | $1,516 | +2.5% |
| Edmonson County | $1,020 | $1,199 | $1,438 | $1,959 | +4.0% |
| Elliott County | $725 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Estill County | $835 | $909 | $1,150 | $1,383 | +5.0% |
| Fayette County | $1,205 | $1,416 | $1,948 | $2,108 | +11.3% |
| Fleming County | $695 | $909 | $1,130 | $1,195 | +5.0% |
| Floyd County | $707 | $925 | $1,230 | $1,246 | +2.3% |
| Franklin County | $909 | $1,145 | $1,466 | $1,811 | +5.7% |
| Fulton County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,308 | +5.0% |
| Gallatin County | $1,128 | $1,442 | $1,897 | $2,141 | +6.6% |
| Garrard County | $864 | $941 | $1,232 | $1,237 | +4.6% |
| Grant County | $899 | $1,146 | $1,365 | $1,692 | -0.8% |
| Graves County | $695 | $909 | $1,219 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Grayson County | $779 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Green County | $835 | $909 | $1,190 | $1,195 | +5.0% |
| Greenup County | $864 | $1,006 | $1,287 | $1,393 | +3.4% |
| Hancock County | $784 | $962 | $1,276 | $1,344 | -5.3% |
| Hardin County | $866 | $1,087 | $1,505 | $1,817 | +2.9% |
| Harlan County | $749 | $909 | $1,190 | $1,195 | +5.0% |
| Harrison County | $725 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,389 | +5.0% |
| Hart County | $796 | $909 | $1,127 | $1,262 | +5.0% |
| Henderson County | $792 | $909 | $1,222 | $1,366 | -4.2% |
| Henry County | $1,058 | $1,276 | $1,629 | $1,874 | +0.3% |
| Hickman County | $695 | $909 | $1,190 | $1,195 | +5.0% |
| Hopkins County | $733 | $959 | $1,249 | $1,405 | +6.6% |
| Jackson County | $695 | $909 | $1,190 | $1,195 | +5.0% |
| Jefferson County | $1,058 | $1,276 | $1,629 | $1,874 | +0.3% |
| Jessamine County | $1,205 | $1,416 | $1,948 | $2,108 | +11.3% |
| Johnson County | $788 | $909 | $1,186 | $1,308 | +5.0% |
| Kenton County | $1,128 | $1,442 | $1,897 | $2,141 | +6.6% |
| Knott County | $784 | $983 | $1,171 | $1,374 | +13.5% |
| Knox County | $835 | $909 | $1,179 | $1,519 | +5.0% |
| Larue County | $866 | $1,087 | $1,505 | $1,817 | +2.9% |
| Laurel County | $749 | $943 | $1,124 | $1,315 | +7.0% |
| Lawrence County | $799 | $971 | $1,157 | $1,372 | +4.9% |
| Lee County | $794 | $996 | $1,187 | $1,392 | +6.1% |
| Leslie County | $774 | $909 | $1,183 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Letcher County | $751 | $909 | $1,094 | $1,328 | +5.0% |
| Lewis County | $695 | $909 | $1,156 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Lincoln County | $793 | $909 | $1,083 | $1,331 | +5.0% |
| Livingston County | $937 | $1,220 | $1,454 | $1,723 | +5.4% |
| Logan County | $698 | $913 | $1,180 | $1,276 | +5.4% |
| Lyon County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,308 | +5.0% |
| Madison County | $859 | $993 | $1,375 | $1,600 | +9.8% |
| Magoffin County | $835 | $909 | $1,083 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Marion County | $736 | $909 | $1,139 | $1,482 | +5.0% |
| Marshall County | $824 | $918 | $1,266 | $1,283 | +3.8% |
| Martin County | $725 | $909 | $1,133 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Mason County | $797 | $1,001 | $1,196 | $1,477 | +9.6% |
| McCracken County | $924 | $1,131 | $1,348 | $1,616 | +6.9% |
| McCreary County | $835 | $909 | $1,147 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| McLean County | $870 | $1,138 | $1,507 | $1,516 | +2.5% |
| Meade County | $804 | $1,052 | $1,443 | $1,549 | -2.1% |
| Menifee County | $725 | $909 | $1,162 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Mercer County | $725 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,519 | +5.0% |
| Metcalfe County | $835 | $909 | $1,191 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Monroe County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,314 | +5.0% |
| Montgomery County | $767 | $1,004 | $1,314 | $1,320 | +10.9% |
| Morgan County | $739 | $909 | $1,256 | $1,503 | +5.0% |
| Muhlenberg County | $695 | $909 | $1,083 | $1,220 | +5.0% |
| Nelson County | $781 | $1,022 | $1,302 | $1,587 | +0.6% |
| Nicholas County | $819 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Ohio County | $695 | $909 | $1,178 | $1,415 | +5.0% |
| Oldham County | $1,058 | $1,276 | $1,629 | $1,874 | +0.3% |
| Owen County | $781 | $1,022 | $1,396 | $1,428 | +2.7% |
| Owsley County | $725 | $909 | $1,099 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Pendleton County | $1,128 | $1,442 | $1,897 | $2,141 | +6.6% |
| Perry County | $772 | $1,010 | $1,203 | $1,327 | +5.3% |
| Pike County | $837 | $1,095 | $1,305 | $1,812 | +12.1% |
| Powell County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,519 | +5.0% |
| Pulaski County | $706 | $924 | $1,101 | $1,308 | -0.2% |
| Robertson County | $695 | $909 | $1,133 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Rockcastle County | $810 | $909 | $1,174 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Rowan County | $791 | $977 | $1,252 | $1,633 | +7.2% |
| Russell County | $695 | $909 | $1,115 | $1,311 | +5.0% |
| Scott County | $1,205 | $1,416 | $1,948 | $2,108 | +11.3% |
| Shelby County | $998 | $1,149 | $1,369 | $1,692 | +0.5% |
| Simpson County | $984 | $1,122 | $1,491 | $1,568 | +6.4% |
| Spencer County | $1,058 | $1,276 | $1,629 | $1,874 | +0.3% |
| Taylor County | $835 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Todd County | $806 | $1,054 | $1,256 | $1,466 | +14.8% |
| Trigg County | $1,068 | $1,307 | $1,786 | $2,185 | -2.9% |
| Trimble County | $898 | $1,175 | $1,407 | $1,642 | +17.4% |
| Union County | $742 | $971 | $1,157 | $1,320 | +6.6% |
| Warren County | $1,020 | $1,199 | $1,438 | $1,959 | +4.0% |
| Washington County | $718 | $939 | $1,300 | $1,343 | +1.1% |
| Wayne County | $834 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,519 | +5.0% |
| Webster County | $695 | $909 | $1,241 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Whitley County | $695 | $909 | $1,129 | $1,298 | +5.0% |
| Wolfe County | $774 | $909 | $1,133 | $1,270 | +5.0% |
| Woodford County | $1,205 | $1,416 | $1,948 | $2,108 | +11.3% |
Where the Limit Moved Most From FY2026 to FY2027
Biggest increases (2-bedroom):
| County | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trimble County | $1,001 | $1,175 | +17.4% |
| Todd County | $918 | $1,054 | +14.8% |
| Knott County | $866 | $983 | +13.5% |
| Pike County | $977 | $1,095 | +12.1% |
| Bourbon County | $1,272 | $1,416 | +11.3% |
Biggest cuts (2-bedroom):
| County | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hancock County | $1,016 | $962 | -5.3% |
| Henderson County | $949 | $909 | -4.2% |
| Christian County | $1,346 | $1,307 | -2.9% |
| Trigg County | $1,346 | $1,307 | -2.9% |
| Meade County | $1,075 | $1,052 | -2.1% |
Two rules soften these swings: HUD will not let an FMR fall more than 10% in a year, and a housing authority can hold its payment standard anywhere up to 110% of the new figure. A cut shows up first in new leases and rent-increase requests, not in a lease already signed.
Where a Voucher Beats the Market in Kentucky
Comparing HUD's 2-bedroom limit to Zillow's observed rent in the same ZIP code shows where a voucher actually stretches. No Kentucky metro with enough data has a positive median: Louisville/Jefferson County comes closest, with the typical ZIP's limit -0.4% against market rent and 49% of its ZIPs above the going rent; Lexington-Fayette is the hardest at -17.6%. "Median premium" is the typical ZIP's rent limit minus market rent, as a percent of market rent.
| Metro | ZIPs with data | Median premium | ZIPs above market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 37 | -0.4% | 49% |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 17 | -11.2% | 12% |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 18 | -17.6% | 11% |
Even where the median is negative, the ZIPs above market are where voucher tenants and landlords match fastest. The national ranking is in our voucher-vs-market analysis.
The Largest Housing Authorities in Kentucky
The largest voucher programs in Kentucky, by vouchers administered. Each publishes its own payment standard table, usually a one-page PDF under its Housing Choice Voucher section:
- Louisville Metro Housing Authority (Louisville), about 13,000 vouchers, (502) 569-3400
- Kentucky Housing Corporation-State Agency (Frankfort), about 6,200 vouchers, (502) 564-7630
- Housing Authority of Lexington (Lexington), about 3,500 vouchers, (859) 281-5060
- Cumberland Valley Regional Housing Authority (Barbourville), about 1,600 vouchers, (606) 546-9324
- Housing Authority of Covington (Covington), about 1,200 vouchers, (859) 292-2145
- Housing Authority of Hopkinsville (Hopkinsville), about 1,100 vouchers, (270) 887-4275
- Boone County Fiscal Court (Burlington), about 1,000 vouchers, (859) 334-2105
- Housing Authority of Owensboro (Owensboro), about 870 vouchers, (270) 683-5365
Can a Landlord Refuse a Voucher in Kentucky?
Yes, in most of the state. Kentucky law blocks cities and counties from requiring landlords to accept vouchers (KRS 65.874 (HB 18, 2024)), so acceptance is voluntary and any local ordinance to the contrary is void.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Section 8 pay in Kentucky? It depends on the county. HUD's FY2027 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent runs from $909 in Adair County to $1,442 in Pendleton County, with a median county of $925. Your housing authority's payment standard is 90% to 110% of the figure for your county, and the voucher pays that standard minus about 30% of your adjusted income.
Which Kentucky county has the highest Section 8 rent limit? Pendleton County, at $1,442 for a 2-bedroom ($1,897 for a 3-bedroom) in FY2027. The lowest is Adair County at $909.
Did Section 8 rent limits go up in Kentucky for FY2027? Mostly yes: the 2-bedroom figure rose in 113 counties, fell in 7, and held in 0. The biggest increase was Trimble County (+17.4%). The biggest cut was Hancock County (-5.3%).
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Kentucky? Yes, in most of the state. Kentucky law blocks cities and counties from requiring landlords to accept vouchers (KRS 65.874 (HB 18, 2024)), so acceptance is voluntary and any local ordinance to the contrary is void.
Where is my housing authority's actual payment standard? On the authority's website, usually a one-page PDF updated each fall, or by calling its Housing Choice Voucher office. The largest Kentucky authorities are listed above with phone numbers.
See also our Kentucky Section 8 overview; the national 2-bedroom table for the 40 largest metros; HUD's FY2027 FMR dataset.
Holding a voucher in Kentucky? Browse voucher-friendly listings by ZIP code and bedroom size.
Kentucky landlord? List your property free. The table above is what a voucher tenant's authority can pay.
VoucherMatch Editorial Team
Every rule, date and dollar amount in this article is checked against the agency document it comes from, and the sources are listed above. How VoucherMatch articles are researched and corrected
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