Barbourville, KY vs Brownsville, KY

Barbourville, KY and Brownsville, KY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Barbourville scores 66 while Brownsville scores 65 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Barbourville is $604/month compared to $670/month in Brownsville — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Barbourville has cheaper rent, Brownsville actually has lower median home values ($156,800 vs $190,200).

Median household income in Barbourville is $20,971 compared to $37,500 in Brownsville (-44.1%). Brownsville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Barbourville spend roughly 34.6% of their income on rent, more than the 21.4% in Brownsville. The Brownsville ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.