City Comparison
Covington vs Jeffersontown
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Jeffersontown scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Covington
Jeffersontown
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Covington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Jeffersontown.
Housing costs are a major driver: Covington's average rent is
11% lower than Jeffersontown's.
| Metric | Covington | Jeffersontown | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,400 | -11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,335 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Jeffersontown offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Jeffersontown delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Covington is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Jeffersontown.
| Metric | Covington | Jeffersontown |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 72,340 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $76,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Covington sees 3.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Covington | Jeffersontown |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | 56.30°F |
| Summer High | 84.90°F | 83.80°F |
| Winter Low | 23.70°F | 25.80°F |
| Rainfall | 47.20 in | 58.60 in |
| Snowfall | 23.70 in | 20.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | 236 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Covington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Covington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Covington | Jeffersontown |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Covington is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Jeffersontown.
From a growth perspective, Jeffersontown is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Jeffersontown has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Covington | Jeffersontown |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,939 | 28,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Covington
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly lower than the national average and neighboring Cincinnati.
Exceptional historic architecture and walkable urban neighborhoods like MainStrasse Village and Licking Riverside.
Proximity to Devou Park, offering 700 acres of green space, trails, and panoramic skyline views.
Direct pedestrian and transit access to downtown Cincinnati via the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge.
Thriving local culinary scene featuring independent restaurants, craft breweries, and boutique retailers.
Drawbacks
Property maintenance costs can be high due to the aging stock of historic Victorian and antebellum homes.
Property tax rates in Kenton County can be higher relative to some surrounding suburban jurisdictions.
Crime rates vary significantly by neighborhood, with certain areas requiring increased vigilance.
Winter weather brings freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall requiring active municipal snow removal.
Public transit options, while adequate, are primarily bus-based and less extensive than major metropolitan rail networks.
Jeffersontown
Advantages
Home to the Bluegrass Commerce Park, providing abundant local employment and economic stability.
Crime rates consistently trend significantly lower than the broader Louisville metropolitan average.
Hosts the popular annual Gaslight Festival, fostering a strong sense of community and local culture.
Housing affordability remains favorable compared to the national average and coastal markets.
Exceptional proximity to major Louisville healthcare systems and regional medical centers.
Drawbacks
High car dependency makes efficient public transportation limited for daily commuting.
Peak-hour traffic congestion along major thoroughfares like Hurstbourne Parkway and Taylorsville Road.
Average summer humidity can be high, aligning with the broader humid subtropical climate.
Rising housing demand has steadily increased real estate and rental prices since 2024.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits compared to downtown Louisville.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Covington
#372Kentucky, USA
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
55.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
Jeffersontown
#101Kentucky, USA
67.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
56.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
77
Business
72
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