salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.1 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 15.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $37,800 a year. That is $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Kentucky cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Kentucky. It is number 17 of 87 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Paducah?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Paducah
| Size | Paducah | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $544 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $532 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $983 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $934 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,261 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Paducah overall?
Everyday prices in the Paducah metro area are 14% below the U.S. average (index 86.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Paducah
Life in Paducah
What jobs pay in Paducah
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $134,810 | 8.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $124,990 | 9.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,200 | 9.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,950 | 11.2% |
| Software Developer | $99,260 | 11.4% |
| Lawyer | $96,960 | 11.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $94,550 | 12.0% |
| Plumber | $82,120 | 13.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $79,920 | 14.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $79,610 | 14.2% |
| Operations Manager | $75,470 | 15.0% |
| Electrician | $73,930 | 15.3% |
| Accountant | $73,650 | 15.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,060 | 18.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,030 | 18.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $60,720 | 18.7% |
| Police Officer | $59,730 | 19.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $56,610 | 20.0% |
| Carpenter | $51,700 | 21.9% |
| Truck Driver | $50,520 | 22.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,360 | 28.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,110 | 29.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,860 | 30.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $36,460 | 31.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $31,200 | 36.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,280 | 38.7% |
| Cashier | $28,550 | 39.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,390 | 39.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Paducah?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $202 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $165,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,530 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Paducah, KY?
Renting in Paducah costs a median of about $945 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Kentucky median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Paducah?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $37,800 a year, or $18 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Paducah cheap or expensive?
Paducah is rated OK: rent takes 21.1% of the typical household income of $53,833. It ranks 17th cheapest of 87 Kentucky cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Paducah?
The median homeowner in Paducah pays $1,390 a year in property taxes, about 0.84% of the median home value.
Is Paducah more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Paducah?
The median home value in Paducah is $165,300, about 3.1 times the typical yearly household income.
26,845 people live in Paducah. Numbers are typical (middle) values.