City Comparison
Henderson vs Lexington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lexington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Henderson
Lexington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Henderson is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Lexington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Henderson's average rent is
39% lower than Lexington's.
| Metric | Henderson | Lexington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,552 | -39% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,840 | $2,482 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lexington offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lexington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Henderson is estimated at
$45,000 vs $52,000 in Lexington.
| Metric | Henderson | Lexington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $62,200 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,770 idx | 66,882 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $69,479 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.9°F of each other.
For sunshine, Henderson comes out ahead with 16 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lexington sees 5.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Henderson | Lexington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.10°F | 56.20°F |
| Summer High | 84.60°F | 84.70°F |
| Winter Low | 26.80°F | 26.00°F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | 54.20 in |
| Snowfall | 15.80 in | 21.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 236 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Lexington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lexington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Henderson | Lexington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lexington is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Henderson.
From a growth perspective, Lexington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Henderson | Lexington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,400 | 329,751 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.34% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Henderson
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Rich cultural heritage highlighted by the world-famous John James Audubon State Park and museum.
Proximity to Evansville, Indiana, provides expanded access to major employment, dining, and entertainment.
Picturesque Ohio River waterfront offering scenic views, parks, and outdoor recreational activities.
Strong sense of community with active local civic groups and family-oriented neighborhood events.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal automobiles due to limited public transportation infrastructure.
Average local salaries lag behind national benchmarks, reflecting the regional economic structure.
humid summer climate can lead to uncomfortable outdoor conditions during peak months.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits compared to larger metropolitan centers.
Local economy remains susceptible to broader manufacturing and industrial sector fluctuations.
Lexington
Advantages
Cost of living runs approximately 7% below the national average per regional economic reports.
Over 51% of residents over 25 hold a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting an exceptionally educated workforce.
Short average commute times of roughly 20 minutes facilitate convenient daily travel.
Thriving cultural and recreational amenities include the historic Keeneland Race Course and extensive park systems.
Major regional medical hub anchored by world-class facilities like UK HealthCare.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited outside of core urban and campus routes, increasing reliance on personal vehicles.
Increasing housing demand has driven steady rental and real estate price appreciation over recent years.
Local manufacturing employment sectors have experienced minor year-over-year contractions.
Poverty rates hover near 14.9%, indicating economic disparities within certain urban pockets.
summers can feature high humidity levels typical of the broader Kentucky climate region.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Henderson
#328Kentucky, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
58.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
73
Business
65
Lexington
#318Kentucky, USA
60.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,552
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
56.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.34%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
Business
71
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