City Comparison
Henderson vs Richmond
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Richmond scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Henderson
Richmond
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Richmond is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Henderson.
| Metric | Henderson | Richmond | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $950 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,840 | $1,830 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Henderson offers 2% 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 $45,000 in Richmond.
| Metric | Henderson | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $51,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,770 idx | 57,955 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $53,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Henderson comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Richmond sees 3.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Henderson | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.10°F | 56.60°F |
| Summer High | 84.60°F | 85.00°F |
| Winter Low | 26.80°F | 26.40°F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | 56.10 in |
| Snowfall | 15.80 in | 19.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 234 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Richmond scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Richmond leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Henderson | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Richmond is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Henderson.
From a growth perspective, Richmond is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Richmond has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Henderson | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,400 | 36,452 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 34.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Richmond
Advantages
Median home prices in Richmond remain significantly below the national average per Zillow data.
Eastern Kentucky University provides a rich cultural, educational, and economic anchor for the city.
Proximity to outdoor recreation, including Lake Reba and Daniel Boone National Forest.
Lower-than-average cost of living spanning housing, utilities, and everyday goods.
Convenient access via Interstate 75 to larger metropolitan hubs like Lexington.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Average local salaries lag behind the national GDP per capita benchmarks.
Job market diversity can be somewhat constrained outside of education, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Humid subtropical summer conditions can bring uncomfortable humidity levels.
Local entertainment options are more limited compared to nearby Lexington.
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
Richmond
#224Kentucky, USA
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$51,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
67
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