Cost of Living in Louisville, KY is
-3.2% Lower
than the National Average

Did the Cost of Living in Louisville, KY increase in 2024? Louisville, KY area prices were up 1.2% from a year ago. The largest increases were found in Transportation, Food, and Housing.
By using Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator, you can make a cost of living comparison of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!
About Louisville, Kentucky    Louisville and Jefferson County have a combined area of 397.68 square miles (1,030.0 km2), of which 380.46 square miles (985.4 km2) is land and 17.23 ....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Kentucky's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $7.25 per hour in 2024. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Louisville, KY

Cost of Living Calculator



Cost of Living in other Major Cities

City, State Compared to national average
City, State San Francisco, CA Compared to national average
+ 86.5%
City, State Washington, DC Compared to national average
+ 45.2%
City, State Miami, FL Compared to national average
+ 15.4%
City, State Chicago, IL Compared to national average
+ 12.4%
City, State Boston, MA Compared to national average
+ 53.1%
City, State New York, NY Compared to national average
+ 77.0%
City, State Dallas, TX Compared to national average
+ 7.0%

Cost of Living Louisville, KY by Expense Category

Category Compared to national average
CategoryEnergy Compared to national average
-10.1%
CategoryFood Compared to national average
-28.3%
CategoryHealthcare Compared to national average
-27.1%
CategoryHousing Compared to national average
-29.9%
CategoryTransportation Compared to national average
-15.0%

Cost of Living Comparison with Louisville, KY

If you move to Louisville from one of these cities, you would have these the changes of your cost of living.


Move From Move To Cost Of Living Comparison
Move FromSan Francisco, CA Move ToLouisville, KY Cost Of Living Comparision
-89.7%
Move FromWashington, DC Move ToLouisville, KY Cost Of Living Comparision
-48.4%
Move FromMiami, FL Move ToLouisville, KY Cost Of Living Comparision
-18.5%
Move FromChicago, IL Move ToLouisville, KY Cost Of Living Comparision
-15.6%
Move FromBoston, MA Move ToLouisville, KY Cost Of Living Comparision
-56.3%
Move FromNew York, NY Move ToLouisville, KY Cost Of Living Comparision
-80.2%
Move FromDallas, TX Move ToLouisville, KY Cost Of Living Comparision
-10.2%

Based on this cost of living comparison, you can see:
If you move from Chicago IL, Dallas, TX, or Miami, FL, the percent increase of your cost of living could be 22.8%, 37.8%, and 24.8%. Looks like this move could have a negative net change in disposable income, so please think carefully!
If you move from New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, DC, the percent reduction of your cost of living could be -43.50%, -23%, and -20.10%, that's good news to you that you could be looking at a positive net change in disposable income.


About Louisville, KY

Louisville and Jefferson County have a combined area of 397.68 square miles (1,030.0 km2), of which 380.46 square miles (985.4 km2) is land and 17.23 square miles (44.6 km2) (4.33%) is covered by water. Louisville is southeasterly situated along the border between Kentucky and Indiana, the Ohio River, in north-central Kentucky at the Falls of the Ohio. Although situated in a Southern state, Louisville is influenced by both Southern and Midwestern culture. It is sometimes referred to as either one of the northernmost Southern cities or as one of the southernmost Northern cities in the United St...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia


Comments about the Cost of Living in Louisville, KY

Will the cost of food in Louisville, Kentucky impact the overall cost of living there?

Yes, cost of food is important as we all have to eat! There are ways to save money on your food expenses if you plan carefully. Check out stores like Alberrsons or Walmart to buy items in bulk at a considerable savings. At different times of the year you can get local produce for low prices at roadside stands or farmer’s markets. There are lots of ways to reduce food expenses and lower your overall cost of living in Louisville, KY. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Are there good recreational opportunities in or near Louisville, KY?

Louisville, KY does not have a major sports team, but don’t worry, check out local colleges and high school sports schedules. These games usually have very cheap tickets and the spirit and enthusiasm of the crowd often makes up for the level of skill. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

I am nervous about moving, what is the typical cost of moving to another city and what should I have to think about?

The average cost of moving to another state is around $5,600 for a distance of 1,200 miles. This price can vary a lot if the distance is greater and depending on how much is being moved. Even if your employer is covering the cost of a move, there will still be costs that are not covered. A cost that typically occurs is that your existing furniture and accessories are either too large, too small, or not appropriate for your new home. You may find that after you move, you will need to purchase many new items for the new location, for example, window coverings, rugs, lighting, and outdoor gear. Make sure you budget for these types of expenses and include them in the first year’s cost of living at your new location. Finally, although there is no dollar cost, is the stress of moving, which will increase if you have children or pets. Make sure you prepare in advance for what additional TLC those kids and pets will need to have a good move. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Are there any tips that will help make the move to Louisville, Kentucky easier for my child?

Make sure your child has a favorite toy, doll, game, clothing, blanket, snacks, etc. to take with them during the transition. Once you arrive, let your child help with arranging and decorating their new room. You may be tempted to unpack everything when you arrive, but make sure you take a break from unpacking to spend time playing and relaxing with your child. Plan on packing a special bag to take with you with those items that you will need first. Towels, soap, a few basic kitchen utensils and food items like crackers, tea, juice, will make your new location functional as soon as you arrive and fell more like home. A small new toy, book, or video that you give to your child when you arrive might help them to feel happy and relaxed in the new location. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

How much are average utility costs in Louisville, Kentucky compared to the rest of U.S.?

Electric costs in Louisville,KY are currently the fourth lowest when compared to other states. Since a year ago the price of electricity in Kentucky has gone down about 1.123%. Electric costs will contribute to the energy component of your overall cost of living. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

What kind of child care is available in Louisville, Kentucky and what is the cost?

It is difficult to exactly predict the cost of child care in any city, which for parents, is a large part of the cost of living. There are different arrangements and lengths of time that are needed to care for a child, and costs may vary a lot depending on the services provided. Based on the state average, for Louisville child care for a child up to 3 years could cost $6294 per year. Kentucky is ranked NO. 44 in annual cost of child care in the U.S. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

What are rents like in Louisville,KY?

I am single and live in Louisville,KY, I rent a small studio and the monthly rent is $835 . Rent contributes to a large part of the overall cost of living in Louisville,KY, I try to economize by having a small apartment. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Are there fun things to in Louisville, Kentucky that are free or don’t cost a lot?

Looks for areas of Louisville, Kentucky where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for Louisville, KY to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Will I have to pay a lot in taxes if I move to Louisville, Kentucky?

Louisville, has an additional city tax rate of 2.2%. This will reduce income and leave less to spend on other necessities, impacting the overall cost of living in Louisville, Kentucky. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

How difficult is it to drive in Louisville, Kentucky?

Unfortunately, driving in Louisville, Kentucky is not very easy and may take up a lot of your time. It is ranked as number 62 in the United States, making it below average in driver friendliness. This means that the time and ease of your driving times will impact your cost of living, since driving in heavy and slow moving traffic uses a lot of gas. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

How much is a monthly pass for public transit in Louisville, Kentucky?

The cost of a monthly transit pass in Louisville, KY is around $50.00. Ask your employer if they offer discounted passes to save even more money and reduce your cost of commuting and overall Cost of Living (COL). ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )



Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )


Last Update: 2024-02-26