City Comparison
Covington vs Madisonville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madisonville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Covington
Madisonville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madisonville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Covington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Covington's average rent is
47% higher than Madisonville's.
| Metric | Covington | Madisonville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $850 | +47% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $170 | $160 | +6% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $200 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $1,660 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Covington offers 27% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Covington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Covington is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Madisonville.
| Metric | Covington | Madisonville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 58,537 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $47,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Covington sees 12.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Covington | Madisonville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | 59.10°F |
| Summer High | 84.90°F | 87.00°F |
| Winter Low | 23.70°F | 28.50°F |
| Rainfall | 47.20 in | 53.10 in |
| Snowfall | 23.70 in | 11.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | 242 |
| 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 | Madisonville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Covington is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Madisonville.
From a growth perspective, Covington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Covington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Covington | Madisonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,939 | 19,250 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.50% |
| 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.
Madisonville
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and rental costs are substantially below the US national average.
Mahr Park Arboretum provides over 260 acres of premier outdoor recreation, trails, and green space.
Strategic location along Interstate 69 offers convenient regional connectivity to major economic centers.
Baptist Health Madisonville serves as a robust regional medical hub with extensive specialty care.
A strong sense of community and family-oriented neighborhoods with low traffic congestion.
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation infrastructure and low walkability scores outside downtown.
Local median household income trails behind the national average, limiting high-wage career options.
Summer months experience high humidity levels and consistent heat reaching the upper 80s.
Transitioning local economy requires continued diversification away from legacy industrial sectors.
Limited nightlife, entertainment venues, and dining options compared to larger metropolitan areas.
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
Madisonville
#314Kentucky, USA
60.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
242/yr
Avg Temp
59.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
60
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