Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Barbourville?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Barbourville, you need to earn at least $36,160/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $21,287, which means the typical resident is $14,873 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 3,195

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$633	$2,110	$25,320	+$4,033
1 Bedroom	$750	$2,500	$30,000	+$8,713
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$904	$3,013	$36,160	+$14,873
3 Bedroom	$1,103	$3,677	$44,120	+$22,833
4 Bedroom	$1,356	$4,520	$54,240	+$32,953

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Barbourville's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$21,287

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$36,160

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$14,873

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 51.0%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Barbourville

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Barbourville's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$532

Studio

$633/mo

1 BR

$750/mo

2 BR

$904/mo

3 BR

$1,103/mo

4 BR

$1,356/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Barbourville.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Barbourville's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Barbourville

Renting in Barbourville is unaffordable for most median earners. The $14,873 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $904/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to Barbourville, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $633/month, which requires $25,320/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$452/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable Kentucky city.

To live comfortably in Barbourville without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $54,240 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for Kentucky's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Barbourville, Kentucky.

With a total population of 3,195, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 1,063 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $36,160 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

1,063

Active civilian employees in Barbourville

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Barbourville

What salary do I need to live in Barbourville, Kentucky?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Barbourville under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $36,160. The median household income in Barbourville is $21,287.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Barbourville on $21,287?

The affordability verdict for Barbourville is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 51.0%, meaning there's a $14,873 income gap.

What is the average rent in Barbourville compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Barbourville is $750/month. With a median household income of $21,287, residents spend approximately 51.0% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Barbourville?

A studio in Barbourville rents for approximately $633/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $25,320 to afford this.

Is Barbourville considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $14,873 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", Barbourville is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $36,160 to the local median household income.

How Barbourville Compares

Other cities in Kentucky with salary requirements