Kentucky · FIPS 21177 · HUD FY 2027
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Fair Market Rent
HUD’s FY 2027 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Muhlenberg County is $909 a month (rent plus utilities), 21% below the Kentucky average of $1,155 and 49% below the U.S. average of $1,765. That is up $43 (5.0%) from FY 2026. At 30% of income, a household needs about $36,360 a year to afford it.
- $9092-bedroom FMR+$43 (+5.0%) vs FY 2026
- $6951-bedroom FMRKentucky: $946 · U.S.: $1,482
- $36,360Income for a 2-bedroom$17/hour full-time
- 66 of 1202BR rank in Kentucky1 = highest rent
| Unit | Muhlenberg County FY 2027 | FY 2026 | Change | Kentucky avg | U.S. avg | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $650 | $619 | +$31 (+5.0%) | $854 | $1,382 | $26,000 |
| 1 bedroom | $695 | $660 | +$35 (+5.3%) | $946 | $1,482 | $27,800 |
| 2 bedrooms | $909 | $866 | +$43 (+5.0%) | $1,155 | $1,765 | $36,360 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,083 | $1,038 | +$45 (+4.3%) | $1,500 | $2,272 | $43,320 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,220 | $1,224 | −$4 (−0.3%) | $1,708 | $2,614 | $48,800 |
How Muhlenberg County compares
- Muhlenberg County is a non-metro county, so HUD sets one Fair Market Rent for the whole county.
- Across Kentucky, 2-bedroom FMRs run from $909 (Wolfe County) to $1,442 (Boone County).
- Studio to 4-bedroom: $650, $695, $909, $1,083, $1,220. HUD derives the other sizes from the 2-bedroom figure with fixed ratios, adjusted where local data warrant.
- HUD also publishes ZIP-level Small Area FMRs. For the 13 ZIP codes mostly in Muhlenberg County (by land area), the 2-bedroom figure ranges from $910 to $1,100.
Small Area FMRs by ZIP code in Muhlenberg County
| ZIP | Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR | 2BR vs FY 2026 | 2BR vs area FMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42321 | $740 | $790 | $1,040 | $1,240 | $1,390 | −$10 (−1.0%) | 14% above |
| 42323 | $770 | $830 | $1,080 | $1,290 | $1,450 | +$60 (+5.9%) | 19% above |
| 42324 | $710 | $760 | $990 | $1,210 | $1,340 | −$10 (−1.0%) | 9% above |
| 42325 | $650 | $690 | $910 | $1,080 | $1,220 | +$40 (+4.6%) | about the same as |
| 42326 | $750 | $800 | $1,050 | $1,270 | $1,460 | −$100 (−8.7%) | 16% above |
| 42330 | $760 | $770 | $1,000 | $1,320 | $1,330 | −$20 (−2.0%) | 10% above |
| 42332 | $670 | $710 | $940 | $1,120 | $1,260 | +$10 (+1.1%) | 3% above |
| 42337 | $790 | $840 | $1,100 | $1,320 | $1,550 | −$120 (−9.8%) | 21% above |
| 42339 | $660 | $700 | $920 | $1,170 | $1,260 | +$30 (+3.4%) | 1% above |
| 42344 | $690 | $730 | $960 | $1,200 | $1,350 | +$70 (+7.9%) | 6% above |
| 42345 | $660 | $710 | $930 | $1,110 | $1,250 | +$50 (+5.7%) | 2% above |
| 42367 | $650 | $700 | $910 | $1,080 | $1,220 | +$20 (+2.2%) | about the same as |
| 42374 | $650 | $690 | $910 | $1,080 | $1,220 | +$40 (+4.6%) | about the same as |
Sources
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD User Fair Market Rents: FY 2027 FMRs (file dated August 26, 2026) and FY 2026 FMRs (file dated April 21, 2026).
- HUD User Small Area Fair Market Rents: FY 2027 SAFMRs (file dated August 31, 2026) and FY 2026 SAFMRs (file dated April 21, 2026).
- ZIP-to-county assignment: Census Bureau 2020 ZCTA-to-county relationship file (file dated December 9, 2021), largest land-area overlap.
Fair Market Rents are HUD’s estimate of gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a modest unit, set at the 40th percentile of recent-mover rents. FY 2027 is HUD’s fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. Housing authorities set voucher payment standards from these figures; check yours.