Bowling Green

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Bowling Green, KY

Area Guide

A burgeoning small city that’s full of character and big-city attractions

Charming Scenic Peaceful Outdoors Historic Up-and-Coming River

Located in south-central Kentucky, Bowling Green combines historic architecture with contemporary living. As home to Western Kentucky University, the city maintains a strong educational presence while preserving its small-town community spirit. The heart of downtown centers around Fountain Square Park, which hosts community events throughout the seasons. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound at Lost River Cave, featuring Kentucky's only underground boat tour, while Weldon Peete Park offers dedicated mountain biking trails and climbing areas. The city's automotive heritage shines through the National Corvette Museum and the GM Corvette Assembly Plant, drawing visitors from across the globe.

The rental market in Bowling Green offers various housing options, with average monthly rents ranging from $671 for studios to $1,497 for four-bedroom homes. The Downtown district features preserved historic architecture, while areas near Western Kentucky University and Greenwood showcase a mix of housing styles. Notable historic areas include the St. Joseph Historic District and Shake Rag Historic District, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As Kentucky's third-largest city with over 72,000 residents, Bowling Green maintains lower living costs compared to similar-sized cities.

Explore the City

An aerial view of Circus Square Park in Downtown Bowling Green.

Fountain Square Park in Downtown Bowling Green has a historic fountain.

An aerial view of Downtown Bowling Green shows an outdoor skate park and lush trees.

Rent Trends

As of January 2026, the average apartment rent in Bowling Green, KY is $618 for a studio, $895 for one bedroom, $1,099 for two bedrooms, and $1,364 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bowling Green has decreased by -0.8% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$895/month
688 Sq Ft
House
$1,761/month
1,539 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,067/month
982 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,358/month
885 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Bowling Green, KY

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Bowling Green, KY is 10.9% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Bowling Green is 28.7% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $618 - $1,364. You can expect to pay 5.4% less for groceries, 9.2% more for utilities, and 9.2% less for transportation.

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Transportation

41

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

1

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

38

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Rich Pond Elementary

Public

Grades PK-6

876 Students

Plano Elementary

Public

Grades PK-6

698 Students

W R Mcneill Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

439 Students

William H. Natcher Elementary

Public

Grades PK-6

679 Students

Cumberland Trace Elementary

Public

Grades PK-6

603 Students

Drakes Creek Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

729 Students

South Warren Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

772 Students

Warren East Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

487 Students

Bowling Green Junior High

Public

Grades 6-8

963 Students

Beacon Academy

Public

Grades 6-12

191 Students

South Warren High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,494 Students

Greenwood High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,370 Students

Bowling Green High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,294 Students

Warren East High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,031 Students

Beacon Academy

Public

Grades 6-12

191 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Spero Kereiakes Park
  • Lovers Lane Soccer Complex
  • Baker Arboretum
  • Hardin Planetarium
  • Lost River Cave and Valley

Top Apartments in Bowling Green

Houses for Rent in Bowling Green

Property Management Companies in Bowling Green, KY

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.