Paducah 68 Good
Paducah Livability #199 ranked city in Kentucky#9,801 ranked city in the USARanks better than 66% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Paducah

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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

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.

  • Ratings Ratings

    AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.

What's it like Living in Paducah?

Paducah is a medium-sized city located in the state of Kentucky. The city has a population of 25,703 people. At 73%, the majority of the Paducah population is White; this is followed by 21% Black and 1% Asian. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Paducah is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Paducah can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the city. Having said that, in the state of Kentucky, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Paducah and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, education, housing and other important metrics.

Paducah, KY receives 67/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #189 in Kentucky and #9,315 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we know that Paducah ranks very well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Paducah does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F) and employment (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Paducah has an unemployment rate of 1.8% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Paducah 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.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Paducah is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Paducah come in at $218,217, which is 3.1% lower than the Kentucky average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Paducah, the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 8.8% higher than the Kentucky average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Paducah

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Compare Paducah, KY Livability

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      Paducah transportation information

      Statistic Paducah Kentucky National
      Average one way commute18min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.3%82.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.7%9.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.6%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.3%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home4.8%3.3%4.6%
      Source: The Paducah, 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.