A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
33%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Henderson Kentucky National
Cost of living9090100
Goods & Services100101100
Groceries95101100
Health care8884100
Housing6770100
Transportation9192100
Utilities121104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Henderson, KY

Understanding the cost of living in Henderson can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Henderson cost of living index is 90, which is 10% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Henderson closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Henderson can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Henderson Affordable?

Is Henderson affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Henderson, for instance, where the median home price falls 35.1% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 27.6% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Henderson flaunting a median household income of $40,360, 27% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Henderson?

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Henderson, the housing index is 32.9% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Henderson, the utilities index is 20.5% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Henderson cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Henderson is equal to the Kentucky average
  • The cost of living in Henderson is 10% lower than the national average
  • Henderson housing is 33% lower than the national average
  • Kentucky general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Kentucky state income tax is 73% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Henderson

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Compare Henderson, KY Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$61,130$5,094$1,426$1,834
      Renters$27,893$2,324$651$837
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Henderson, KY, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Henderson homeowners, is $61,130. This would allow for a maximum of $1,426 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $27,893 which would result in a maximum of $651 to be spent on rental costs.

      Kentucky Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Kentucky 6% 6%

      Kentucky Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Kentucky 4.5% 4.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Henderson National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.34$24.264.4%
      Beauty Salon $44.12$45.563.2%
      Toothpaste $3.70$3.700.0%
      Shampoo $1.23$1.283.9%
      Movie $13.11$12.138.1%
      Bowling $16.17$18.0010.2%

      Groceries

      Item Henderson National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.74$5.841.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.37$1.5713.2%
      Milk $4.50$4.673.7%
      Potatoes $5.13$4.933.9%
      Pizza $11.24$12.097.0%
      Beer $9.75$10.416.4%

      Health Care

      Item Henderson National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $94.06$125.6825.2%
      Doctor $105.07$135.7822.6%
      Dentist $103.51$113.298.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.26$10.653.7%
      Lipitor $470.38$468.600.4%

      Housing

      Item Henderson National avg. Difference
      Home Price $119,800.00$184,700.0035.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,772.15$2,346.6924.5%
      Apartment Rent $687.00$949.0027.6%

      Transportation

      Item Henderson National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.25$3.466.1%
      Tire Balancing $50.23$59.9216.2%

      Utilities

      Item Henderson National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $259.32$193.9933.7%
      Phone $189.86$192.251.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Poole, KY721000.1%
      Spottsville, KY3558515.0%
      Robards, KY4818713.4%
      Waverly, KY4338812.3%
      Chandler, IN3,6698811.7%
      Henderson, KY28,469909.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Burbank, IL28,4471066.2%
      Jacksonville, AR28,442927.8%
      Woolwich, ON28,438n/a 
      Williamsport, PA28,437909.8%
      Casselberry, FL28,5021000.1%
      Henderson, KY28,469909.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.