City Comparison
Owensboro vs Radcliff
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owensboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Owensboro
Radcliff
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owensboro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Radcliff.
Housing costs are a major driver: Owensboro's average rent is
17% lower than Radcliff's.
| Metric | Owensboro | Radcliff | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,150 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $160 | $165 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $220 | -5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,810 | $2,025 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Radcliff offers 7% lower 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 Owensboro is estimated at
$45,000 vs $48,000 in Radcliff.
| Metric | Owensboro | Radcliff |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $56,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,770 idx | 63,636 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $54,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Owensboro comes out ahead with 19 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Owensboro sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Owensboro | Radcliff |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.30°F | 57.50°F |
| Summer High | 85.30°F | 85.30°F |
| Winter Low | 27.40°F | 26.90°F |
| Rainfall | 51.10 in | 60.20 in |
| Snowfall | 17.30 in | 17.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 232 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Owensboro has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Radcliff.
Owensboro scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Owensboro leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Owensboro | Radcliff |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owensboro is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Radcliff.
From a growth perspective, Radcliff is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Owensboro | Radcliff |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,183 | 23,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Owensboro
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per Census and Zillow data.
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital provides top-tier regional medical services and is one of the area's largest employers.
The vibrant downtown riverfront features Smothers Park and hosts major cultural events like the ROMP bluegrass festival.
Average commute times are shorter than the national average, resulting in minimal traffic congestion.
Strong community identity anchored by unique regional traditions such as Western Kentucky barbecue and bluegrass music.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Average local wages lag behind top-tier national metropolitan GDP per capita benchmarks.
Limited high-paying professional opportunities outside of healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors.
Hot and humid summer conditions can limit outdoor comfort during peak months.
Public school performance and educational funding face the same systemic challenges present across rural and regional Kentucky.
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.
Owensboro
#246Kentucky, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
87
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
58.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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