Laurel County, Kentucky Housing Market
In Laurel County, Kentucky, the median home value is $159,500, with a median monthly rent of $813. This places Laurel County at #2028 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #57 within Kentucky.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $966
- Establishments: 1,723
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 6
- Multi-family: 15
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 21,507 (avg $60,262)
- Outflow: 20,482 (avg $60,781)
- IRS Statistics of Income
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Laurel County Compares
| Metric | Laurel County | Kentucky Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $159,500 | $160,835 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $813 | $793 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 71.6% | 73.4% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 16.3 | 16.6 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Laurel County is 0.8% below the Kentucky state average and 30.0% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $813/month is 2.5% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 16.3, the buy-vs-rent decision in Laurel County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Laurel County has an owner-occupancy rate of 71.6%, compared to 73.4% in Kentucky and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | Alabama | $159,500 | $780 |
| Buena Vista County | Iowa | $159,500 | $894 |
| Ashtabula County | Ohio | $159,500 | $828 |
| Martin County | Indiana | $159,400 | $697 |
| Howard County | Missouri | $159,400 | $832 |
Other Counties in Kentucky
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pendleton County | $159,800 | $793 | 74.7% |
| Edmonson County | $160,300 | $778 | 80.1% |
| Mason County | $161,500 | $727 | 66.1% |
| Rowan County | $161,800 | $825 | 61.5% |
| Breckinridge County | $156,700 | $733 | 81.4% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).