Louisville wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Louisville vs Lexington (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Louisville buys roughly what $60,682 does in Lexington (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$739/yr
Favoring Louisville for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $62/mo in Louisville, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Louisville Kentucky | Lexington Kentucky | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,050Better | $1,100 | Louisville wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Louisville |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,300Better | $1,350 | Louisville wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Louisville |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,700Better | $1,750 | Louisville wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Louisville |
| Median home price | $250KBetter | $270K | Louisville wins +$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 95Better | 96 | Louisville wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $52 | Louisville wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.05 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148 | $145Better | Lexington wins −$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $162 | $158Better | Lexington wins −$4/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $57KBetter | $56K | Louisville wins −$1K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.0%Better | 4.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.0%Better | 6.0% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $14.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Better | $35 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Better | $5.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 88Better | 89 | Louisville wins +1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 34 | 38Better | Lexington wins +4 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Louisville fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Louisville.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Louisville cheaper than Lexington?
Yes. Louisville is 1% cheaper than Lexington based on overall cost of living indices (88 vs 89, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Louisville vs Lexington?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Louisville is $1,300/month and in Lexington is $1,350/month. Louisville is cheaper by 4%.
How much do I need to earn in Lexington to match a $75,000 salary in Louisville?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,852/year in Lexington to match a $75,000 salary in Louisville. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Louisville or Lexington?
Lexington has the lower state income tax rate at 4% vs 4%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Louisville to Lexington?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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