Cost of living in Bell County, KY
Population 23,878 · Last updated May 21, 2026
Cost breakdown
Single person, by category, per month.
Rent in Bell County
Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.
Source: HUD FMR FY2025
Income and earnings in Bell County
Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.
Home values in Bell County
Average values reported by homeowners.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
Energy costs in Bell County
Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.
Source: EIA
Healthcare in Bell County
Insurance premiums and coverage rates.
Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.
Taxes in Bell County
State and local tax rates for Kentucky.
Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.
Transportation in Bell County
Commute patterns and estimated costs.
Source: ACS
Monthly cost estimates for Bell County
What it costs to live in Bell County each month.
- Rent $783
- Energy $194
- Water $55
- Groceries $312
- Transport $320
- Healthcare $480
- Federal tax $293
- State tax $93
- Rent $867
- Energy $233
- Water $65
- Groceries $517
- Transport $420
- Healthcare $864
- Federal tax $233
- State tax $108
- Rent $1,189
- Energy $291
- Water $75
- Groceries $784
- Transport $520
- Healthcare $1,350
- Childcare $1,200
- Federal tax $233
- State tax $108
Frequently asked questions about Bell County
Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.
What is the average rent in Bell County?
In Bell County, KY, a one-bedroom apartment averages $783 per month, a two-bedroom averages $867 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,189 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.
What is the average salary in Bell County?
In Bell County, KY, the average household income is $32,403 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $27,965 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
What is the cost of living in Bell County?
The estimated cost of living in Bell County, KY is approximately $2,530 per month for a single person, $3,307 for a couple, $5,750 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in Bell County?
The combined sales tax rate in Bell County, KY is 6.00%, which includes the Kentucky state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.00%.
Is Bell County an affordable place to live?
Based on the data, a single person in Bell County, KY would need approximately $2,530 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $32,403 per year ($2,700 per month). Bell County has a high cost of living relative to local earnings.
How much does healthcare cost in Bell County?
The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Bell County, KY is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.
What are house prices in Bell County?
The average home value in Bell County, KY is $83,000, with average annual property taxes of $617, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
How does Bell County compare to other areas?
You can compare Bell County, KY with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Bell County is in the Middlesborough, KY metro area.
Other counties in Kentucky
Browse the full list of counties in Kentucky, ranked by cost of living.
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About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.
- HUD FMR FY2025
- ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
- EIA
- ACS + national avg
- ACS
- USDA + BEA RPP