Louisville vs Lexington: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Louisville, Kentucky compare to Lexington, Kentucky? 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 17% lower in Louisville compared to Lexington, while rent is 5% lower.
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Lexington, KY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $204,800 | $247,900 | -17.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,014 | $1,065 | -4.8% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $63,114 | $66,087 | -4.5% |
| Per Capita Income | $37,588 | $40,953 | -8.2% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.0% | 4.0% | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.0% | 6.0% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 629,176 | 321,276 | +95.8% |
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 — Lexington
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 $247,900 in Lexington — a 17% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,014/mo in Louisville vs $1,065/mo in Lexington.
- Income: Median household income is $63,114 in Louisville and $66,087 in Lexington.
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).