Barbourville, KY vs Oakbrook, KY

The cost of living difference between Barbourville, KY and Oakbrook, KY is dramatic. Barbourville is 31.5% cheaper than Oakbrook, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Barbourville has a cost index of 66 while Oakbrook sits at 96, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Barbourville is $604/month compared to $1,414/month in Oakbrook — a 57% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Barbourville is more affordable at $190,200 median vs $250,900.

Median household income in Barbourville is $20,971 compared to $90,147 in Oakbrook (-76.7%). While Oakbrook is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Barbourville spend roughly 34.6% of their income on rent, more than the 18.8% in Oakbrook. The Oakbrook ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.