LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX News) — As the housing market continues to see fluctuations in 2026, renting has become a popular choice for many people in the Bluegrass.
Cynthia Trgo, a realtor with Diamond Real Estate Group, said the rental market in Lexington serves a wide range of tenants.
"So we have housing that we need for students, we have housing that we need for professionals, and then we have the average hardworking family that needs a place to live, so we've got a little bit of a mix of our needs here in Lexington," Trgo said.
Single-family homes make up a significant portion of the rental market, and they come at a premium.
"So it's a very good mix. So we see a lot of single-family homes that are up for rent, and those primarily have the highest rents compared to apartments or townhouses," Trgo said.
According to Zillow, the average rent price in Kentucky is about $1,300 per month. A one-bedroom apartment averages $932 per month, while houses rent for about $1,700 per month.
Many renters are seeing a $50 decrease in a lot of leases. However, Trgo said affordability remains a challenge for many families.
"The average hardworking family is going to have a little bit of a hard time with rents as high as they are, and that's probably the biggest takeaway that I have. It's not very affordable for the average family right now, so I know everybody's doing the best they can, but sometimes going outside of Lexington might be the better decision," Trgo said.
Data from Apartments.com shows cities like Owensboro and Frankfort have cheaper rent prices, while Louisville and Lexington are several hundred dollars more. Trgo recommends looking outside of Lexington for those seeking lower rent prices.
Trgo also noted that summer can be an advantageous time to search for rentals.
"It's the summertime all of those college students are in the places where they're living for the year, so you kind of don't have to compete with students as much," Trgo said.
Trgo also warned renters to be on the lookout for scams.
"I see a lot of scams, especially through Facebook and online about rentals that come up on the market. If it sounds too good to be true, beware. A lot of times it is, and make sure that you're always meeting with somebody in person before you ever secure a unit," Trgo said.
Cynthia Trgo can be contacted here.
