Cost of Living in Bowling Green, KY
Updated November 2026 · Warren County · Bowling Green, KY metro area · population 75,388
Prices in Bowling Green are 9.2% below the US average (local index 90.8; the BEA index for the Bowling Green, KY metro area is 90.2), with local housing the biggest saving at 64.9; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,261 a month and the median rent is $998.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Bowling Green's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Bowling Green, KY metro area, unchanged.
Bowling Green price index by category, US average = 100: All items 90.8, Housing (rents) 64.9, Goods 96.2, Utilities 75.2, Other services 96.9
It is the 4th most expensive of the 6 Kentucky cities in our data. Cheaper than 89% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 88.9 | 89.4 | 88.6 | 89.3 | 89.9 | 90.2 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Bowling Green, KY
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $681 | $8,172 | 30% |
| Utilities | $224 | $2,688 | 10% |
| Food at home | $271 | $3,252 | 12% |
| Transportation | $583 | $6,996 | 26% |
| Health care | $341 | $4,092 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $161 | $1,932 | 7% |
| Total | $2,261 | $27,132 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Bowling Green, KY
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $816 | $9,792 | 22% |
| Utilities | $354 | $4,248 | 9% |
| Food at home | $501 | $6,012 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,152 | $13,824 | 31% |
| Health care | $631 | $7,572 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $318 | $3,816 | 8% |
| Total | $3,772 | $45,264 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Bowling Green, KY
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $987 | $11,844 | 21% |
| Utilities | $431 | $5,172 | 9% |
| Food at home | $715 | $8,580 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,535 | $18,420 | 33% |
| Health care | $588 | $7,056 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $409 | $4,908 | 9% |
| Total | $4,665 | $55,980 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Bowling Green
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $910 |
| 1 bedroom | $838 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,004 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,214 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,566 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $998 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $811 |
| Median home value | $241,900 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,447/mo |
| Median household income | $48,873 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 30.3% |
| Home value ÷ household income Moderate | 4.9× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Kentucky
13.80¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +5.3% (from 13.10¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,102 kWh a month in Kentucky ≈ $154/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +45.0% (from $2.83) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Kentucky is covered by the Midwest (PADD 2) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Bowling Green are 9.2% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $66,100 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 90.8. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendersonville, TN | 47 mi | 97.8 | $2,832 | $1,653 |
| Clarksville, TN | 58 mi | 92.4 | $2,495 | $1,307 |
| Nashville, TN | 59 mi | 97.0 | $2,869 | $1,586 |
| Madisonville, KY | 64 mi | 88.7 | $1,923 | $838 |
| Owensboro, KY | 66 mi | 89.3 | $2,061 | $905 |
| Smyrna, TN | 70 mi | 95.5 | $2,598 | $1,461 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo, OH | 90.8 | $2,144 | $901 |
| El Paso, TX | 90.7 | $2,305 | $1,073 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 90.7 | $2,317 | $1,130 |
| Beaumont, TX | 90.7 | $2,289 | $1,121 |
| Victoria, TX | 90.7 | $2,391 | $1,172 |
| Gatlinburg, TN | 90.7 | $2,488 | $1,098 |
Compare Bowling Green with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Bowling Green, KY an expensive place to live?
Bowling Green has a local cost of living index of 90.8, which is 9.2% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Bowling Green, KY metro area (90.2) and adjusts housing to Bowling Green's own rents. It is 0.6 points above the Kentucky average. It is the 4th most expensive of the 6 Kentucky cities in our data. Cheaper than 89% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Bowling Green?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,261 for a single adult, $3,772 for a couple and $4,665 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $54,500 in Bowling Green.
What is the average rent in Bowling Green?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $998 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $838, 2 bedrooms $1,004, 3 bedrooms $1,214. The typical renter spends 30.3% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Bowling Green?
The median owner-estimated home value is $241,900, 4.9 times the median household income of $48,873 (moderate). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,447 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Bowling Green?
Kentucky residential electricity averaged 13.80¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Bowling Green, KY metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 90.2) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 2108902 (Bowling Green city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Kentucky residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Midwest (PADD 2), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources