Cost of Living in Buckner, KY

Population 3,786 · Kentucky · Data vintage 2023

123
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buckner is a smaller Kentucky community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $149,700 and housing costs ($390,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.1% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Buckner sits roughly 20 miles northeast of Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 76% higher than Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance)'s $222,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 128
Rent 117

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

About the Cost of Living in Buckner

The median home value in Buckner is $389,900 — 28% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,536/month, 17% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $149,700/year is 101% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.1%, below 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, Buckner has a cost of living index of 123 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 23% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$389,900
28% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$171,160
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,536/mo
17% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.2x
Favors renting
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 94.4%
Renter-occupied 5.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,536
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,150/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
24.9 min
8% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.0%
Carpooled
8.8%
Work from home
19.2%

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
$149,700
101% above avg
Per Capita Income
$48,771
Unemployment Rate
1.1%
77% below avg
Poverty Rate
0.3%
Labor Force Participation
67.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 33.6%
Graduate degree 22.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.5
Male median age 36.2
Female median age 35.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
80.6%
Good air days/yr
105
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
242
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
21
Public schools
12,941
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Buckner, KY?

Buckner has a cost index of 123 (100 = national average). It is 23% above the national average.

What is average rent in Buckner, KY?

The median gross rent in Buckner is $1,536 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Buckner?

The median home value in Buckner is $389,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Buckner?

The median household income in Buckner is $149,700 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Buckner, KY?

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

Is Buckner, KY affordable?

Buckner is above average in cost of living, with an index of 123 — about 23% higher than the national average.

Buckner at a Glance

Population
3,786
Median Income
$149,700
Home Value
$389,900
Median Rent
$1,536/mo
Unemployment
1.1%
Sales Tax
6.0%
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🗺️ County data for Kentucky

Explore county-level cost of living data

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