City Comparison
Henderson vs Paducah
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Henderson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Henderson
Paducah
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Paducah is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Henderson.
| Metric | Henderson | Paducah | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $950 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $165 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,840 | $1,825 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Paducah offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Paducah delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Henderson is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Paducah.
| Metric | Henderson | Paducah |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $54,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,770 idx | 63,529 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Henderson sees 3.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Henderson | Paducah |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.10°F | 60.00°F |
| Summer High | 84.60°F | 86.60°F |
| Winter Low | 26.80°F | 29.50°F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | 48.50 in |
| Snowfall | 15.80 in | 12.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 249 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Paducah scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Paducah leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Henderson | Paducah |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 32.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Henderson is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Paducah.
From a growth perspective, Paducah is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Henderson | Paducah |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,400 | 25,000 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 42.0 |
| 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.
Paducah
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly below the national average, making homeownership highly accessible per Zillow data.
Designated as a UNESCO Creative City with a vibrant arts community and the world-renowned National Quilt Museum.
Serves as a robust regional healthcare hub with major medical facilities like Baptist Health Paducah.
Rich historical architecture and beautifully revitalized downtown riverfront offering unique dining and shopping.
Low traffic congestion and manageable commute times compared to major metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting outside the downtown core.
Limited high-paying corporate headquarters employment compared to larger Kentucky metropolitan areas.
Humid subtropical summers bring high humidity levels that can be uncomfortable for outdoor activities.
Public school performance varies by district, requiring careful research for families with school-age children.
Limited direct commercial air travel options requiring travel to regional or major airports for extensive flights.
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
Paducah
#370Kentucky, USA
59.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
60.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
67
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