Bowling Green

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Bowling Green, KY

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

Charming Scenic Peaceful Outdoors Historic Up-and-Coming River

Set along I-65 just south of Louisville is where you’ll find Bowling Green. What was once considered a small town has now become the third most populous city in the state of Kentucky, one with a bustling downtown area and colorful charm that continues to attract residents from all over the state.

The city radiates out from Fountain Square Park, and the square that surrounds the 19th century park is full of colorful, historic buildings and some of Bowling Green’s best restaurants. There’s historic homes, quaint cottages, and contemporary apartments for rent all around the city. The variety suits the renters of Bowling Green, ranging from families to students and professionals.

In the quiet communities that surround the city center, you’ll find plenty of parks and sporting areas, including disco golf, soccer fields, and golf courses aplenty. Museums and performing arts center in the downtown area proudly put Bowling Green on display, while Greenwood Mall provides some of the best shopping in the region.

Outdoor lovers will delight in the nearby riverwalk, Lost River Cave, and the numerous national forests that surround the city. With its inherent charm and short drive to Nashville, it’s easy to see why Bowling Green continues to grow.

Rent Trends

As of March 2025, the average apartment rent in Bowling Green, KY is $659 for a studio, $887 for one bedroom, $1,112 for two bedrooms, and $1,322 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Bowling Green has decreased by -0.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$887/month
684 Sq Ft
House
$1,670/month
1,329 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,069/month
969 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,448/month
1,171 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Bowling Green, KY

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Bowling Green, KY is 13.1% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Bowling Green is 28.4% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $659 - $1,322. You can expect to pay 8.0% less for groceries, 7.6% more for utilities, and 22.1% less for transportation.

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Transportation

40

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

7
out of 10

Plano Elementary

Public

Grades PK-6

698 Students

7
out of 10

William H. Natcher Elementary

Public

Grades PK-6

679 Students

7
out of 10

Cumberland Trace Elementary

Public

Grades PK-6

603 Students

6
out of 10

W R Mcneill Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

439 Students

6
out of 10

South Warren Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

772 Students

9
out of 10

Drakes Creek Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

729 Students

9
out of 10

Warren East Middle School

Public

Grades 7-8

487 Students

7
out of 10

Bowling Green Junior High

Public

Grades 6-8

963 Students

6
out of 10

Beacon Academy

Public

Grades 6-12

191 Students

4
out of 10

South Warren High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,494 Students

8
out of 10

Greenwood High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,370 Students

7
out of 10

Warren East High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,031 Students

7
out of 10

Bowling Green High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,294 Students

6
out of 10

Beacon Academy

Public

Grades 6-12

191 Students

4
out of 10

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • 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

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 February 2025.