Cost of Living in Murray, KY
Cost of Living in Murray, KY has an overall index of 80, 20% below the U.S. baseline of 100. The typical home value is $195,859; typical monthly rent is $835; and median household income is $40,348.
Cost index: committed city housing/rent inputs and BEA 2024 state nonmetro price parities. Home value: Zillow ZHVI market signal as of 2026-02. Rent: Census ACS 2023 fallback place estimate. A place-level signal, not a personal affordability decision or financial recommendation.
Rent and home prices are comparatively balanced with local income. This describes the local market, not your household.
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Frequently asked questions about Murray
Living in Murray
Is Murray, KY an affordable place to live?+
Yes — everyday expenses in Murray run about 20% below the US average (Cost Index: 80). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $195,859, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is $835, versus $1,348 nationally.
How does Murray fit a household housing budget?+
Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $835, while local median household income is $40,348. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 25% before utilities and other costs. Use that as a planning signal for whether the place looks manageable under your own household assumptions.
How much are taxes in Murray, KY?+
Kentucky uses an approximate state-income-tax planning model; 4% is top marginal-rate context from the tax snapshot. Applying the 0.86% state-level effective owner-occupied proxy to a home worth $195,859 gives a planning estimate near $1,684 per year; it is not a city, county, parcel, or individual tax bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is around 6%.
How much does it cost to rent in Murray, KY?+
The typical monthly rent in Murray is around $835. That's roughly 38% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $195,859, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.
How much does a house cost in Murray, KY?+
The typical home value in Murray is $195,859. With 20% down and the committed 6.11% national 30-year fixed benchmark as of 2026-03-12, principal and interest are roughly $951/month before property tax and insurance. This is a planning estimate, not a local lender quote. About 41% of residents here own their homes.
Are groceries and utilities expensive in Murray?+
Grocery prices in Murray are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 88). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.
What is Murray, KY like to live in?+
Murray is a small town with a population of about 17,888. The median age of residents is 25.7, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 24.88%, above the national average of 12.4%.