Cost of Living in Paintsville, KY

With a cost of living index of 60, Paintsville, KY is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Living here is 40% cheaper than the national average and 18% below the Kentucky state average of 78. Paintsville is a small community of 4,256 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Paintsville's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $631 (52% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $110,800 (64% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 4.1x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Paintsville is $26,713, which is 64% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 28% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability. 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.