Owensboro 70 Excellent
Owensboro Livability #151 ranked city in Kentucky#7,457 ranked city in the USARanks better than 74% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Owensboro

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Crime Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

What's it like Living in Owensboro?

Owensboro is a mid-sized city located in the state of Kentucky. The city has a population of 62,157 residents. Owensboro has a population density of 3,060 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. According to the most recent Census, 85% of Owensboro residents are White, 7% Black and 2% Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Owensboro will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 18 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Owensboro, Kentucky could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. The best areas in Owensboro and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Kentucky and national averages.

With a livability score of 70/100, Owensboro is ranked #7,074 in the United States and #146 in Kentucky. If we consider each of the categories individually, we see that Owensboro ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Owensboro. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F) and crime (D-).

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Owensboro can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Owensboro meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Owensboro. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Owensboro are simply unattainable. The median home price for Owensboro homes is $230,497, which is 2.4% higher than the Kentucky average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Owensboro, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 2.9% lower than the Kentucky average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Owensboro

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Owensboro?

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Compare Owensboro, KY Livability

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      Owensboro transportation information

      Statistic Owensboro Kentucky National
      Average one way commute18min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.9%82.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.1%9.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.9%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home2.7%3.3%4.6%
      Source: The Owensboro, KY data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.