Cost of Living in Beaver Dam, KY

Population 3,526 · Kentucky · Data vintage 2023

52
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Beaver Dam is a smaller Kentucky community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $52,546 and housing costs ($156,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 11.4%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Beaver Dam is about 55 miles southeast of Evansville, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 21% higher than Evansville's $129,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 51
Rent 55

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Beaver Dam

The median home value in Beaver Dam is $155,800 — 49% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $717/month, 45% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,546/year is 30% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 11.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Kentucky's top state income tax rate is 4.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. Overall, Beaver Dam has a cost of living index of 52 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 48% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$155,800
49% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$682,749
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$717/mo
45% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$636
1 BR
$721
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,187
4 BR
$1,336
Owner-occupied 62.6%
Renter-occupied 37.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$717
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,331/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
35.1 min
30% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
82.8%
Carpooled
8.8%
Walked
3.7%
Work from home
4.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.0%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$52,546
30% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,154
Unemployment Rate
11.4%
138% above avg
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Labor Force Participation
53.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 4.5%
Graduate degree 12.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.2
Male median age 33.4
Female median age 35.7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Beaver Dam, KY?

Beaver Dam has a cost index of 52 (100 = national average). It is 48% below the national average.

What is average rent in Beaver Dam, KY?

The median gross rent in Beaver Dam is $717 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Beaver Dam?

The median home value in Beaver Dam is $155,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Beaver Dam?

The median household income in Beaver Dam is $52,546 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Beaver Dam, KY?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Beaver Dam is 6.0%. The Kentucky state income tax top rate is 4.0%.

Is Beaver Dam, KY affordable?

Yes, Beaver Dam is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 52 — about 48% below the US national average of 100.

Beaver Dam at a Glance

Population
3,526
Median Income
$52,546
Home Value
$155,800
Median Rent
$717/mo
Unemployment
11.4%
Sales Tax
6.0%
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🗺️ County data for Kentucky

Explore county-level cost of living data

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