Middlesboro, Kentucky; viewed from the Pinnacle Overlook in April, 2013. · K smith8907 / CC BY-SA 3.0American Association, Limited, Office Building · Nyttend / Public domainDistant view of Middlesboro, KY · J654567 / CC BY-SA 3.0Cumberland Gap Tunnel · Stratosphere / CC BY-SA 4.0
Middlesborough is a small town of 9,383 in Kentucky, with a median household income of $35,798
and a 8.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
Middlesborough 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 Middlesborough is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Middlesborough 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: 85.6
Middlesborough's overall cost of living index is 85.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Middlesborough costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
Middlesborough, KY
National Avg
Median Home Value
$87,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$623
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
57.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$35,798
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Middlesborough's violent crime rate is 65.3 per 100,000 residents
— 83% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
65.3 /100k
Property Crime
391.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Middlesborough is served primarily by Middlesboro Independent.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Middlesborough, KY
National Avg
School District
Middlesboro Independent
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
13.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
79.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Middlesborough sees average highs of 43.9°F in January
and 84.7°F in July,
with 52.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 7.9 inches of snow per year.
Middlesborough's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Middlesborough roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $87,000 and median rent is $623/month.
Middlesborough's violent crime rate is 65.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 391.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Middlesborough are operated by Middlesboro Independent.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1. 13.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Middlesborough, KY has a population of 9,383, a median household income of $35,798, and an unemployment rate of 8.8%.
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.
Middlesborough averages 43.9°F in January and 84.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 52.6 inches
with about 7.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Middlesborough, KY is covered by 1 ZIP code: 40965.
The population of Middlesborough, Kentucky is 9,383 with a median age of 42.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Middlesborough: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $87,000, median household income $35,798, crime index 18 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Middlesborough side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
