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Rental Property Investment Guide: Bardstown, KY

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Bardstown, KY

Cap Rate
3.65%
Median Price
$265K
Rent/Mo
$1,230
1% Rule
0.46%
Fails

Market Snapshot

Bardstown sits in the South with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.8% annually. The median home costs $265,000 while rents average $1,230/mo, producing an estimated cap rate of 3.65%. Cash flow investing here requires creative strategies like BRRRR or value-add approaches.

Who Should Invest Here

Bardstown works best for experienced investors with a clear strategy — Section 8, student housing, or deep value-add rehabs. The 3.65% cap rate at median prices is tight, so success depends on buying below market, forcing appreciation through renovation, or accessing above-market rent streams through niche tenant bases.

Deal Criteria for Bardstown

Target properties priced 15-25% below the $265,000 median — around $212,000 or less. At this price point with $1,230/mo rents, your cap rate improves to roughly 5.0%. Factor in 0.81% property taxes ($2,147/yr), budget 5% of gross rent for maintenance, and underwrite to a 5.6% vacancy rate. On a 20% down conventional loan at 7%, monthly PITI will run approximately $1,689.

Risks and Considerations

Every deal should be evaluated individually using our calculator tools. Median data provides a starting point; actual returns depend on the specific property, financing, and your management approach.

Next Steps

Run the numbers on a specific Bardstown property using our cap rate calculator (pre-filled with Bardstown data). Compare Bardstown against similar markets in the South region. If you're considering a value-add approach, try our BRRRR calculator to model a rehab scenario.

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How Bardstown Compares

Bardstown vs Kentucky state average and national average across key investment metrics. Bardstown's cap rate is below both benchmarks — deal sourcing is critical here.

Metric
Bardstown
Kentucky Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
3.65%
4.76%
3.81%
Median Price
$265K
$225K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,230
$1,219
$1,524
Property Tax
0.81%
0.81%
1.08%
Vacancy
5.6%
5.6%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.8%/yr
0.8%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby South Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Bardstown, KY
3.6%
$265K
$1,230
0.81%
Athens, TX
3.3%
$265K
$1,370
1.72%
Lake City, FL
4.9%
$265K
$1,520
0.86%
Tyler, TX
3.2%
$265K
$1,340
1.72%
Greensboro, NC
4.5%
$260K
$1,410
0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bardstown, KY a good place to invest in rental property?
Bardstown has an estimated cap rate of 3.65%, which is below the national average of 3.81%. With median home prices at $265K and rents of $1,230/mo, Bardstown presents moderate opportunities — deals need careful sourcing to cash flow. Population growth of 0.8% and 5.6% vacancy rate indicate healthy tenant demand.
What is the average cap rate in Bardstown?
The estimated cap rate for Bardstown is 3.65%, based on median home prices of $265K, median rents of $1,230/mo, a 0.81% property tax rate, and 5.6% vacancy. This compares to a 4.76% average across Kentucky and 3.81% nationally. Cap rates for individual properties will vary based on purchase price, actual rents, and property condition.
How much does a rental property cost in Bardstown?
The median home price in Bardstown is $265,000, which is 21% below the national average of $333,419. A 20% down payment would be approximately $53,000. Investment properties in Bardstown range significantly — targeting properties 15-25% below median can improve your cap rate substantially.
What are Bardstown property taxes for investors?
Bardstown's effective property tax rate is 0.81%, which is above the Kentucky average of 0.81% and below the national average of 1.08%. On a $265K property, annual taxes are approximately $2,147 ($179/mo). Property taxes are moderate and manageable.
Full Bardstown Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Bardstown & Related Markets

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