Kentucky · FIPS 21225 · HUD FY 2027
Union County, Kentucky Fair Market Rent
HUD’s FY 2027 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Union County is $971 a month (rent plus utilities), 16% below the Kentucky average of $1,155 and 45% below the U.S. average of $1,761. That is up $60 (6.6%) from FY 2026. At 30% of income, a household needs about $38,840 a year to afford it.
- $9712-bedroom FMR+$60 (+6.6%) vs FY 2026
- $7421-bedroom FMRKentucky: $946 · U.S.: $1,478
- $38,840Income for a 2-bedroom$19/hour full-time
- 52 of 1202BR rank in Kentucky1 = highest rent
| Unit | Union County FY 2027 | FY 2026 | Change | Kentucky avg | U.S. avg | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $716 | $651 | +$65 (+10.0%) | $854 | $1,379 | $28,640 |
| 1 bedroom | $742 | $694 | +$48 (+6.9%) | $946 | $1,478 | $29,680 |
| 2 bedrooms | $971 | $911 | +$60 (+6.6%) | $1,155 | $1,761 | $38,840 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,157 | $1,092 | +$65 (+6.0%) | $1,500 | $2,266 | $46,280 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,320 | $1,206 | +$114 (+9.5%) | $1,708 | $2,607 | $52,800 |
How Union County compares
- Union 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: $716, $742, $971, $1,157, $1,320. 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 4 ZIP codes mostly in Union County (by land area), the 2-bedroom figure ranges from $910 to $1,060.
Small Area FMRs by ZIP code in Union County
| ZIP | Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR | 2BR vs FY 2026 | 2BR vs area FMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42437 | $750 | $780 | $1,020 | $1,220 | $1,390 | +$80 (+8.5%) | 5% above |
| 42459 | $670 | $700 | $910 | $1,080 | $1,240 | +$40 (+4.6%) | 6% below |
| 42461 | $670 | $700 | $910 | $1,100 | $1,280 | −$40 (−4.2%) | 6% below |
| 42462 | $820 | $840 | $1,060 | $1,310 | $1,480 | −$10 (−0.9%) | 9% above |
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.