City Comparison
Radcliff vs Lexington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Radcliff scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Radcliff
Lexington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Radcliff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Lexington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Radcliff's average rent is
26% lower than Lexington's.
| Metric | Radcliff | Lexington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,552 | -26% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $165 | $180 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,025 | $2,482 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lexington offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lexington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Radcliff is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Lexington.
| Metric | Radcliff | Lexington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $62,200 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,636 idx | 66,882 idx |
| Household Income | $54,000 | $69,479 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lexington sees 3.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Radcliff | Lexington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.50°F | 56.20°F |
| Summer High | 85.30°F | 84.70°F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | 26.00°F |
| Rainfall | 60.20 in | 54.20 in |
| Snowfall | 17.20 in | 21.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 232 | 236 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Lexington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lexington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Radcliff | Lexington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lexington is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Radcliff.
From a growth perspective, Radcliff is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Radcliff | Lexington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,000 | 329,751 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.34% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Lexington
Advantages
Cost of living runs approximately 7% below the national average per regional economic reports.
Over 51% of residents over 25 hold a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting an exceptionally educated workforce.
Short average commute times of roughly 20 minutes facilitate convenient daily travel.
Thriving cultural and recreational amenities include the historic Keeneland Race Course and extensive park systems.
Major regional medical hub anchored by world-class facilities like UK HealthCare.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited outside of core urban and campus routes, increasing reliance on personal vehicles.
Increasing housing demand has driven steady rental and real estate price appreciation over recent years.
Local manufacturing employment sectors have experienced minor year-over-year contractions.
Poverty rates hover near 14.9%, indicating economic disparities within certain urban pockets.
summers can feature high humidity levels typical of the broader Kentucky climate region.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Lexington
#318Kentucky, USA
60.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,552
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
56.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.34%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
Business
71
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Radcliff and Lexington.
Open Cost Calculator