City Comparison
Nicholasville vs Radcliff
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Nicholasville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Nicholasville
Radcliff
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Radcliff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Nicholasville.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Radcliff | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,150 | +9% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $165 | +6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,135 | $2,025 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nicholasville offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Radcliff delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nicholasville is estimated at
$48,000 vs $48,000 in Radcliff.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Radcliff |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $56,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 63,636 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $54,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Nicholasville sees 2.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Radcliff |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | 57.50°F |
| Summer High | 85.20°F | 85.30°F |
| Winter Low | 25.80°F | 26.90°F |
| Rainfall | 56.70 in | 60.20 in |
| Snowfall | 19.60 in | 17.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | 232 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Radcliff has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Nicholasville.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Radcliff |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nicholasville is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Radcliff.
From a growth perspective, Nicholasville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nicholasville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Radcliff |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,500 | 23,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| 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
Radcliff
Advantages
Affordable cost of living with housing expenses significantly below the national average per Zillow and local housing data.
Close proximity to Fort Knox provides a stable economic baseline and employment opportunities in defense and civil service.
Family-friendly suburban environment with low crime rates and active community engagement.
Abundant natural recreation areas nearby, including Saunders Springs Nature Preserve and Otter Creek.
Favorable commute times and easy access to the broader Louisville metropolitan amenities.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public mass transit infrastructure within the city limits.
Local retail and entertainment options are somewhat limited, requiring trips to Elizabethtown or Louisville for major shopping.
Transitory population due to military deployment rotations can occasionally impact community continuity.
Humid subtropical climate brings high summer temperatures and humidity levels.
Average local salaries lag slightly behind major metropolitan hubs.
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
Radcliff
#311Kentucky, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
232/yr
Avg Temp
57.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
72
Business
65
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