B-

Russell, KY

Source:

Affordability Score: 67/100

Population: 5,354 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Russell, KY aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 5,354 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of B- (67/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $66,473, median home value of $162,000, median rent of $827 per month, and 27.0% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $973 per month (studio $848, 1BR $853, 3BR $1,249, 4BR $1,410). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $5,586 per year, consuming 8% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Russell, KY include housing, rent, childcare. Unemployment currently reads 6.2% and poverty 11.9% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C-
$66,473
Median household income
Education D
27.0%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing A-
2.4x
Home value $162,000 vs income
Commute C
25 min
Average commute time
Rent A-
$973/mo
2BR fair market rent (18% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare B+
$5,586/yr
Center-based infant care (8% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$66,473
▲ 7% vs national
Per Capita Income
$35,354
Unemployment Rate
6.2%
Poverty Rate
11.9%

Housing

Median Home Value
$162,000
▼ 41% vs national
Median Rent
$827/mo
Owner Occupied
77.8%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$973/mo
▼ 19% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$848
1BR
$853
2BR
$973
3BR
$1,249
4BR
$1,410

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
27.0%
▼ 3 ppt vs national
High School+
60.6%
Median Age
43.0
Avg. Commute
25 min
▼ 1 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$5,586/yr
8% of income
Toddler (Center)
$5,571/yr
Preschool (Center)
$5,571/yr
School-Age (Center)
$5,571/yr

What This Means

Russell, KY receives an overall affordability grade of B- (67/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 5,354. This area performs well in housing and rent and childcare. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Russell, KY affordable?
Russell, KY receives an overall affordability grade of B- (67/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $66,473. Median home value is $162,000.
What is the cost of living in Russell?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $827/mo. 2BR fair market rent $973/mo. Infant childcare $5,586/yr. Median home value $162,000.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →