City Comparison
Madisonville vs Independence
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Independence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madisonville
Independence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madisonville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Independence.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madisonville's average rent is
41% lower than Independence's.
| Metric | Madisonville | Independence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $350 | $420 | -17% |
| Utilities | $160 | $175 | -9% |
| Transport | $100 | $130 | -23% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $240 | -17% |
| Monthly Total | $1,660 | $2,415 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Independence offers 29% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Independence delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Madisonville is estimated at
$42,000 vs $52,000 in Independence.
| Metric | Madisonville | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 70,833 idx |
| Household Income | $47,500 | $82,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Independence sees 12.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madisonville | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.10°F | 54.80°F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | 83.60°F |
| Winter Low | 28.50°F | 23.40°F |
| Rainfall | 53.10 in | 48.10 in |
| Snowfall | 11.50 in | 23.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 242 | 238 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Madisonville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Independence.
Independence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Independence leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Madisonville | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Independence is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Madisonville.
From a growth perspective, Independence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Independence has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madisonville | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,250 | 29,079 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Independence
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than the national average per FBI crime data.
Median home prices offer better square footage value compared to downtown Cincinnati and nearby major hubs.
Access to well-maintained local parks and recreation spaces, including Memorial Park.
Consistent and strong community safety profile ideal for raising families and retirees.
Proximity to the Greater Cincinnati job market while maintaining a quiet suburban atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within city limits.
Limited local nightlife and high-end dining options directly inside the city.
Commuting during peak rush hours along major corridors like US-17 can experience delays.
Inventory for rental apartments can be competitive due to high demand for single-family homes.
Local commercial development is still expanding, requiring travel outside the city for major retail shopping.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Independence
#45Kentucky, USA
70.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
54.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
80
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Madisonville and Independence.
Open Cost Calculator