City Comparison
Henderson vs Owensboro
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owensboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Henderson
Owensboro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owensboro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Henderson.
| Metric | Henderson | Owensboro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $950 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $160 | +6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $210 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $1,840 | $1,810 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Henderson offers similar average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Henderson is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Owensboro.
| Metric | Henderson | Owensboro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,770 idx | 59,770 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $58,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Owensboro sees 1.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Henderson | Owensboro |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.10°F | 58.30°F |
| Summer High | 84.60°F | 85.30°F |
| Winter Low | 26.80°F | 27.40°F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | 51.10 in |
| Snowfall | 15.80 in | 17.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Owensboro scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Owensboro leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Henderson | Owensboro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owensboro is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Henderson.
From a growth perspective, Owensboro is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Henderson | Owensboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,400 | 60,183 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 38.5 |
| 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.
Owensboro
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per Census and Zillow data.
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital provides top-tier regional medical services and is one of the area's largest employers.
The vibrant downtown riverfront features Smothers Park and hosts major cultural events like the ROMP bluegrass festival.
Average commute times are shorter than the national average, resulting in minimal traffic congestion.
Strong community identity anchored by unique regional traditions such as Western Kentucky barbecue and bluegrass music.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Average local wages lag behind top-tier national metropolitan GDP per capita benchmarks.
Limited high-paying professional opportunities outside of healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors.
Hot and humid summer conditions can limit outdoor comfort during peak months.
Public school performance and educational funding face the same systemic challenges present across rural and regional Kentucky.
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
Owensboro
#246Kentucky, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
87
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
58.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
67
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