City Comparison
Henderson vs Madisonville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madisonville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Henderson
Madisonville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madisonville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Henderson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Henderson's average rent is
12% higher than Madisonville's.
| Metric | Henderson | Madisonville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $850 | +12% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $170 | $160 | +6% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $200 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $1,840 | $1,660 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Henderson offers 8% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Henderson delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Henderson is estimated at
$45,000 vs $42,000 in Madisonville.
| Metric | Henderson | Madisonville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,770 idx | 58,537 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $47,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Henderson comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Henderson sees 4.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Henderson | Madisonville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.10°F | 59.10°F |
| Summer High | 84.60°F | 87.00°F |
| Winter Low | 26.80°F | 28.50°F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | 53.10 in |
| Snowfall | 15.80 in | 11.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 242 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Henderson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Henderson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Henderson | Madisonville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Henderson is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Madisonville.
From a growth perspective, Henderson is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Henderson has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Henderson | Madisonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,400 | 19,250 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.50% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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