Cost of Living in Barbourville, KY

With a cost of living index of 66, Barbourville, KY is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Living here is 34% cheaper than the national average and 12% below the Kentucky state average of 78. Barbourville is a small community of 3,181 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Barbourville's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $604 (54% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $190,200 (38% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 9.1x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Barbourville is $20,971, which is 72% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 35% of household income on rent. This exceeds the recommended 30% threshold, meaning many renters here are cost-burdened. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.