City Comparison
Henderson vs Louisville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Louisville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Henderson
Louisville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Henderson is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Louisville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Henderson's average rent is
24% lower than Louisville's.
| Metric | Henderson | Louisville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,250 | -24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,840 | $2,145 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Louisville offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Louisville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Henderson is estimated at
$45,000 vs $48,000 in Louisville.
| Metric | Henderson | Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,770 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $65,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Henderson comes out ahead with 14 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Louisville sees 2.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Henderson | Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.10°F | 57.80°F |
| Summer High | 84.60°F | 86.20°F |
| Winter Low | 26.80°F | 26.80°F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | 52.90 in |
| Snowfall | 15.80 in | 18.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 238 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Henderson has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Louisville.
Louisville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Louisville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Henderson | Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Louisville is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Louisville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Louisville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Henderson | Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,400 | 633,045 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.90% |
| 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.
Louisville
Advantages
Median home prices in Louisville remain roughly 15% below the national average per Redfin 2024 data.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by major regional networks like Norton Healthcare.
Extensive public park system designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
Thriving culinary and craft beverage culture recognized internationally for bourbon and dining.
Strategic geographic location serving as a major logistics and shipping hub with the UPS Worldport.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited primarily to bus routes, resulting in high car dependency outside the urban core.
Certain urban neighborhoods experience higher rates of property and violent crime per local police department data.
Property tax rates and homeowners insurance costs have seen upward pressure in recent years.
Summer humidity and seasonal allergy index rankings frequently challenge allergy sufferers.
State-level legislative dynamics can sometimes conflict with progressive municipal governance priorities.
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
Louisville
#299Kentucky, USA
61.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
57.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
Business
70
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