| Index | Owensboro | Kentucky | National |
| Cost of living | 89 | 88 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 94 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 75 | 70 | 100 |
| Transportation | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 88 | 94 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Owensboro? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Owensboro stands at 89, making it 11% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 5 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Owensboro and this is how they responded. 20% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 80% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Owensboro an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Owensboro, the median home price is 29.4% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 13.6% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Owensboro come in at $69,353, which is 14.7% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Owensboro, the utilities index registers at 5.9% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Owensboro, the groceries index registers 2.9% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
The cost of living data for Owensboro shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $87,460 | $7,288 | $2,041 | $2,624 |
| Renters | $48,920 | $4,077 | $1,141 | $1,468 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Kentucky | 6% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Kentucky | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Beech Grove, KY | 279 | 76 | 23.8% |
| Maceo, KY | 422 | 78 | 21.7% |
| Lewisport, KY | 1,894 | 82 | 18.4% |
| Hatfield, IN | 790 | 82 | 17.8% |
| Calhoun, KY | 748 | 83 | 17.1% |
| Owensboro, KY | 62,157 | 89 | 11.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Coconut Creek, FL | 62,174 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Novi, MI | 62,295 | 117 | 16.8% |
| Marietta, GA | 62,336 | 116 | 16.3% |
| La Mesa, CA | 62,341 | 160 | 60.3% |
| Wesley Chapel, FL | 61,965 | 116 | 16.3% |
| Owensboro, KY | 62,157 | 89 | 11.3% |
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