Cumberland is a small town of 2,390 in Kentucky, with a median household income of $32,716
and a 42.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 83 (US average = 100), which is
17% below the national average.
Strengths:
Cumberland stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Cumberland is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Cumberland city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 82.6
Cumberland's overall cost of living index is 82.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Cumberland costs roughly 17% less than the average American city.
Metric
Cumberland, KY
National Avg
Median Home Value
$59,900
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$543
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
50.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$32,716
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Cumberland's violent crime rate is 38.4 per 100,000 residents
— 90% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
38.4 /100k
Property Crime
246.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Cumberland is served primarily by Harlan County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Cumberland, KY
National Avg
School District
Harlan County
—
Elementary Schools
8
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
11.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
72.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Cumberland sees average highs of 45.3°F in January
and 85.6°F in July,
with 49.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 16.7 inches of snow per year.
Cumberland's cost of living index is 83, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Cumberland roughly 17% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $59,900 and median rent is $543/month.
Cumberland's violent crime rate is 38.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 246.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Cumberland are operated by Harlan County.
The district has 8 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.2:1. 11.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Cumberland, KY has a population of 2,390, a median household income of $32,716, and an unemployment rate of 42.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Cumberland averages 45.3°F in January and 85.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 49.9 inches
with about 16.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Cumberland, KY is covered by 1 ZIP code: 40823.
The population of Cumberland, Kentucky is 2,390 with a median age of 33.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Cumberland: cost of living index 83 (100 = US average), median home $59,900, median household income $32,716, crime index 11 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Cumberland side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
