Cost of Living in
Elizabethtown, KY

Elizabethtown, KY: The Unvarnished Cost of Living Report (2026)

The real price tag for a stable life in Elizabethtown isn't found in glossy brochures or real estate listings. It’s found in the gap between the median household income of $56,250 and the actual cash required to stop living paycheck to paycheck. For a single earner looking for basic stability, the number to hit is roughly $30,937. That figure isn't about luxury; it's about achieving a "comfort" level where you can handle a $400 car repair without spiraling into debt. The Cost of Living Index at 89.4 suggests you’re paying about 10.6% less than the national average, but that average is heavily skewed by hyper-expensive coastal cities. On the ground, that index number translates to specific trade-offs, mostly in housing, but it doesn't shield you from the inflationary bleed happening at the grocery store and the pump. You aren't saving money by default here; you are simply paying a slightly smaller premium for the privilege of existing.

The Big Items

The housing market is the primary financial battleground in Elizabethtown, and it’s currently a confusing mix of affordability and potential traps. If you are looking to rent, the numbers appear deceptively reasonable on paper: a one-bedroom apartment averages $790, while a two-bedroom sits around $1,003. However, these averages mask the reality of the local market heat. Inventory is tight, meaning landlords can be picky, often demanding credit scores north of 700 or charging non-refundable "application fees" that nickel and dime you before you even get a key. The "rent vs. buy" debate is particularly vicious right now. The median home price has ballooned to $272,495. While that is still cheaper than the national median, the interest rate environment creates a massive barrier to entry. A buyer putting 10% down on a $272,495 home at current rates faces a monthly mortgage payment that likely exceeds $1,800 once you factor in taxes and insurance. That is a staggering gap compared to the $1,000 rental average. For many, buying feels like the only way to build equity, but the math suggests it’s a liquidity trap unless you plan to stay for a decade or more to ride out the amortization curve.

Taxes are where the "sticker shock" often hits transplants from states with no income tax, though Kentucky’s system is a complex beast. At the state level, you are looking at a flat income tax rate of 4.5%, which recently dropped from 5%, offering a tiny bit of relief. However, the real bite comes from the local tax structure. Hardin County imposes a local income tax rate of 1.22%, bringing the combined effective rate to 5.72% for residents within the city limits. A single earner making $50,000 is looking at roughly $2,860 vanishing from their gross pay before they see a dime. Then comes the property tax bite for homeowners. While Kentucky’s property tax rates are technically low (around 0.86% of assessed value), the "assessed value" is often a point of contention. On a $272,495 home, you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $2,500 annually in property taxes alone, not including the mandatory insurance premiums. It’s not a tax burden that will bankrupt you, but it is a steady, relentless drain on your disposable income.

Don't underestimate the daily grind of fuel and food costs, which often defy the "low cost of living" narrative. Groceries here run about 6% cheaper than the national average, but that statistic is misleading if you rely on the big-name chains like Kroger or Walmart. The baseline is lower, but the variance is high; a sudden spike in beef prices or a supply chain hiccup can wipe out that discount in a week. Gasoline is the bigger wildcard. Elizabethtown sits on the I-65 corridor, a major logistics artery, which keeps prices competitive but volatile. You might fill up for $2.85 a gallon one week and $3.25 the next. When you combine the cost of commuting—often a necessity in a spread-out town where public transit is virtually non-existent—with the rising cost of utilities (electricity averaging 12.79 cents/kWh), the "savings" evaporate. You aren't getting a bang for your buck on these consumables; you are just paying slightly less than the extortionate rates found in Chicago or New York.

Hidden 'Gotcha' Costs

Let's cut the pleasantries: Elizabethtown has specific financial ambushes that don't show up on standard calculators. First, if you buy a home anywhere near the flood zones (and parts of Hardin County are susceptible), your mortgage lender will force you into flood insurance. This isn't your standard homeowner's policy; it’s an extra $500 to $1,500 annually that offers zero flexibility. Second, the driving experience is expensive in non-obvious ways. While we don't have toll roads in the traditional sense, the "cost" is vehicle wear and tear. The road maintenance on US-31W and the I-65 on-ramps is notoriously rough, leading to premature tire replacements and alignment issues. If you move into a new subdivision, you are walking straight into the arms of a Homeowners Association (HOA). These aren't just for luxury condos; they are ubiquitous here. Expect to pay $30 to $100 a month for the privilege of having your lawn scrutinized. Finally, parking in downtown Elizabethtown is a nickel-and-dime affair. While not a major city, the metered zones and municipal lots are aggressively enforced, and tickets add up fast if you ignore the signs.

Lifestyle Inflation

Lifestyle inflation is the silent killer of budgets in Elizabethtown, where the cost of leisure feels deceptively low until you tally it up at the end of the month. A night out is the perfect example. A domestic beer at a local brewery isn't a bargain bin price anymore; you are paying roughly $6.50 a pint. Add in a burger and a tip, and you are easily out $30 per person. If you prefer a movie night, a ticket at the local cinema will set you back about $12.50, and if you dare to buy the popcorn, you’re hitting $40 for two people before you’ve even sat down. Fitness isn't exempt either. A standard gym membership at a place like Planet Fitness is the outlier at $20 a month; a more comprehensive facility with classes or a squash court will run you $60 to $80. And the coffee culture? A large specialty latte at a local spot is hovering around $5.50. It doesn't sound like much individually, but these small leaks will sink your financial ship if you aren't tracking them.

Salary Scenarios

The following table outlines the raw income required to sustain specific lifestyles in Elizabethtown. Note that the "Family Income" assumes a two-adult household where the second earner brings in at least $30,000, mitigating some fixed costs.

Frugal Analysis

Living on $32,000 as a single person is the "survival mode" baseline in Elizabethtown. This budget assumes you are renting a one-bedroom apartment for $790 or splitting a two-bedroom with a roommate to drop housing costs to roughly $500 per person. You are strictly shopping at discount grocery stores (Aldi or generic brands) and cooking 95% of your meals. There is no room for financed vehicles; you are driving a paid-off, older car, which means you are gambling on potential maintenance costs. Entertainment is limited to free outdoor activities or low-cost hobbies. You will likely qualify for some utility assistance programs or tax credits at this income level. It is doable, but a single emergency—a medical bill or a blown transmission—will immediately put you in the red.

Moderate Analysis

The $48,000 single income figure represents the true "middle-class" experience in Elizabethtown. This allows you to rent a decent two-bedroom for $1,003 or perhaps take on a $1,600 monthly mortgage payment (including taxes/insurance) without being house-poor. You can afford a reliable, late-model used car with a monthly payment of $350. You can eat out once or twice a week and afford the $20 gym membership. However, you are still sensitive to price shocks. You can likely save for retirement (aiming for 10-15%), but saving for a down payment on a home while renting is a slow, grinding process. You have a safety net, but it’s thin.

Comfortable Analysis

To live "comfortably"—meaning you can save aggressively, travel occasionally, and not panic over a $500 surprise expense—you need $65,000 as a single earner. This income level absorbs the $2,000+ monthly mortgage on a median home comfortably. You can afford the HOA fees, the flood insurance, and the newer car payment with high insurance coverage. You are likely maxing out a Roth IRA or contributing heavily to a 401(k). For a family earning $110,000 combined, this bracket offers the best bang for your buck in the region. They can afford the $1,500 monthly childcare costs (if applicable) and still invest in 529 plans for the kids. This is the income level where Elizabethtown feels like a value proposition rather than a struggle.