Buying a home in Kentucky

Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in Kentucky.

Effective property tax rate

0.75%

Median tax $1,544 ÷ median value $205,600 (ACS 2020–2024)

Typical home value

$232,577

Zillow ZHVI, 2026-08

State transfer tax

0.1%

Usually paid by: seller. Ky. Rev. Stat. § 142.050. Official source. Local taxes may add more.

Estimated buyer closing costs Estimate

$2,100–$3,900

On a $232,577 home: typical lender fees + title insurance + deed recording (TallyClose) + the buyer’s share of transfer/recording taxes. Excludes prepaids, escrow and local taxes.

At Kentucky's effective rate of 0.75%, a typical $232,577 home would owe about $1,744/year ($145/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.

First-time homebuyer programs

Kentucky Housing Corporation

Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit Kentucky Housing Corporation →

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-10-15.