salaryRent is lower than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18.1 minutes. Most homes (75.1%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,080 a year. That is $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Kentucky cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Kentucky. It is number 73 of 87 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Elsmere?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Elsmere
| Size | Elsmere | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,142 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,138 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,993 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,923 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Elsmere overall?
Everyday prices in Kentucky overall are 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Elsmere, so the Kentucky figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Elsmere
Life in Elsmere
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Elsmere?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $334 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $171,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $17,190 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Elsmere, KY?
Renting in Elsmere costs a median of about $1,527 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Kentucky median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Elsmere?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,080 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Elsmere cheap or expensive?
Elsmere is rated OK: rent takes 28.1% of the typical household income of $65,252. It ranks 73rd cheapest of 87 Kentucky cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Elsmere?
The median homeowner in Elsmere pays $1,700 a year in property taxes, about 0.99% of the median home value.
Is Elsmere more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Kentucky are 10% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Elsmere?
The median home value in Elsmere is $171,900, about 2.6 times the typical yearly household income.
9,205 people live in Elsmere. Numbers are typical (middle) values.