Louisville vs Fort Worth: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Louisville, Kentucky compare to Fort Worth, Texas? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Louisville is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 18% lower in Louisville compared to Fort Worth, while rent is 23% lower. TX has no state income tax.
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Fort Worth, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $204,800 | $250,300 | -18.2% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,014 | $1,313 | -22.8% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $63,114 | $72,726 | -13.2% |
| Per Capita Income | $37,588 | $35,428 | +6.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.0% | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.0% | 8.2% | -26.8% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 629,176 | 924,663 | -32.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Louisville
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Fort Worth
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Louisville costs $204,800 compared to $250,300 in Fort Worth — a 18% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,014/mo in Louisville vs $1,313/mo in Fort Worth.
- Income: Median household income is $63,114 in Louisville and $72,726 in Fort Worth.
- Taxes: Texas has no state income tax, while Kentucky has a 4% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).