Barbourville, KY vs Hawesville, KY

Barbourville, KY and Hawesville, KY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Barbourville scores 66 while Hawesville 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 $703/month in Hawesville — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Barbourville has cheaper rent, Hawesville actually has lower median home values ($151,100 vs $190,200).

Median household income in Barbourville is $20,971 compared to $51,898 in Hawesville (-59.6%). Hawesville 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 16.3% in Hawesville. The Hawesville ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.