City Comparison
Radcliff vs Madisonville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Radcliff scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Radcliff
Madisonville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madisonville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Radcliff.
Housing costs are a major driver: Radcliff's average rent is
35% higher than Madisonville's.
| Metric | Radcliff | Madisonville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $850 | +35% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $165 | $160 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $200 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,025 | $1,660 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Radcliff offers 17% 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 Radcliff is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Madisonville.
| Metric | Radcliff | Madisonville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,636 idx | 58,537 idx |
| Household Income | $54,000 | $47,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, Madisonville comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Radcliff sees 5.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Radcliff | Madisonville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.50°F | 59.10°F |
| Summer High | 85.30°F | 87.00°F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | 28.50°F |
| Rainfall | 60.20 in | 53.10 in |
| Snowfall | 17.20 in | 11.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 232 | 242 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Radcliff scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Radcliff leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Radcliff | Madisonville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Radcliff is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Madisonville.
From a growth perspective, Radcliff is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Radcliff has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Radcliff | Madisonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,000 | 19,250 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 41.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.50% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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