City Comparison
Covington vs Nicholasville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Nicholasville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Covington
Nicholasville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Covington | Nicholasville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,250 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,135 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Covington offers 5% 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 $48,000 in Nicholasville.
| Metric | Covington | Nicholasville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 63,043 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $61,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Covington sees 4.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Covington | Nicholasville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | 56.40°F |
| Summer High | 84.90°F | 85.20°F |
| Winter Low | 23.70°F | 25.80°F |
| Rainfall | 47.20 in | 56.70 in |
| Snowfall | 23.70 in | 19.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | 231 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Covington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Nicholasville.
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 | Nicholasville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Covington is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Nicholasville.
From a growth perspective, Nicholasville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nicholasville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Covington | Nicholasville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,939 | 34,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| 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.
Nicholasville
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain more affordable than nearby Lexington and the national average (Census Bureau / Zillow 2024)
Convenient location just south of Lexington provides easy access to major metropolitan employment and cultural amenities
Low crime rates and family-friendly neighborhoods create a secure environment for residents (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting 2024)
Strong sense of community with local parks, annual festivals, and a revitalized historic downtown district
Steady job market with growing sectors in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within the city
Traffic congestion during peak hours along the main US-27 commercial corridor
Housing inventory can be tight during peak buying seasons due to high regional demand
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger nearby urban centers
Pollen and seasonal allergy levels can be high due to the lush Bluegrass flora and agricultural surroundings
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
Nicholasville
#120Kentucky, USA
66.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
56.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
Business
70
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