City Comparison
Nicholasville vs Independence
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Independence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Nicholasville
Independence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nicholasville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Independence.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nicholasville's average rent is
14% lower than Independence's.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Independence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,450 | -14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,135 | $2,415 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Independence offers 15% 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 Nicholasville is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Independence.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 70,833 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $82,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Independence sees 4.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | 54.80°F |
| Summer High | 85.20°F | 83.60°F |
| Winter Low | 25.80°F | 23.40°F |
| Rainfall | 56.70 in | 48.10 in |
| Snowfall | 19.60 in | 23.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | 238 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nicholasville is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Independence.
From a growth perspective, Nicholasville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,500 | 29,079 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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
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.
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
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
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