Mount Vernon, KY vs Salem, KY

Mount Vernon, KY and Salem, KY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.5% difference in their overall index. Mount Vernon scores 60 while Salem scores 59 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 Mount Vernon is $660/month compared to $683/month in Salem — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mount Vernon has cheaper rent, Salem actually has lower median home values ($100,000 vs $100,500).

Median household income in Mount Vernon is $38,639 compared to $61,250 in Salem (-36.9%). Salem offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mount Vernon spend roughly 20.5% of their income on rent, more than the 13.4% in Salem.