City Comparison
Henderson vs Nicholasville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Nicholasville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Henderson
Nicholasville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Henderson is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Nicholasville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Henderson's average rent is
24% lower than Nicholasville's.
| Metric | Henderson | Nicholasville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,250 | -24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,840 | $2,135 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nicholasville offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville.
| Metric | Henderson | Nicholasville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,770 idx | 63,043 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $61,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
For sunshine, Henderson comes out ahead with 21 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Nicholasville sees 3.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Henderson | Nicholasville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.10°F | 56.40°F |
| Summer High | 84.60°F | 85.20°F |
| Winter Low | 26.80°F | 25.80°F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | 56.70 in |
| Snowfall | 15.80 in | 19.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 231 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Henderson has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Nicholasville.
For walkability, Henderson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Henderson | Nicholasville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nicholasville is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Henderson.
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 | Henderson | Nicholasville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,400 | 34,500 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.5 |
| 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.
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.
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
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Henderson and Nicholasville.
Open Cost Calculator