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Cost of Living: Los Angeles, CA vs Louisville, KY

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

32.4% Louisville, KY is cheaper overall
53.9% 53.9% cheaper housing
13.6% 13.6% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 53.9% cheaper
Los Angeles
178
Louisville
82
🛒 Groceries 13.6% cheaper
Los Angeles
110
Louisville
95
🚗 Transportation 21.6% cheaper
Los Angeles
125
Louisville
98
🏥 Healthcare 16.1% cheaper
Los Angeles
112
Louisville
94
⚡ Utilities 4.8% cheaper
Los Angeles
105
Louisville
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category Los Angeles, CA Louisville, KY Difference
Overall Cost Index1369232.4% less
Housing1788253.9% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,500$1,00060.0% less
Median Home Price$880,000$225,00074.4% less
Groceries1109513.6% less
Transportation1259821.6% less
Healthcare1129416.1% less
Utilities1051004.8% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Los Angeles, CA Louisville, KY
State Income Tax13.30% (top)4.00%
State Sales Tax7.25%6.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.78%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Los Angeles, CA
$95,000
Median household income
Louisville, KY
$60,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Louisville costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Louisville to maintain your Los Angeles lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Los Angeles (136) vs Louisville (92). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles5.4%
Louisville4.0%
Job Growth (YoY)
Los Angeles2.5%
Louisville2.3%
Top Industries
Los AngelesEntertainment, Tech, Healthcare
LouisvilleHealthcare, Manufacturing, Logistics

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Los Angeles33 min
Louisville23 min
Walk Score
Los Angeles67
Louisville36
Air Quality (AQI)
Los Angeles62
Louisville46
Avg Temperature
Los Angeles66°F
Louisville57°F
Population
Los Angeles3,898,747
Louisville633,045

Moving from Los Angeles to Louisville?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Los Angeles and Louisville → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Louisville →

Compare Other Cities

Los Angeles vs Austin → Los Angeles vs Denver → Los Angeles vs Nashville → Louisville vs Raleigh → Louisville vs Portland → Louisville vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles or Louisville cheaper to live in?+
Louisville is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 53.9%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs Louisville?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,500/month in Los Angeles and $1,000/month in Louisville — a difference of about $1,500 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Los Angeles or Louisville?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. Kentucky has a state income tax of 4.00% and sales tax of 6.00%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Los Angeles to Louisville?+
Median household income in Los Angeles is $95,000 compared to $60,000 in Louisville. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Los Angeles vs Louisville?+
The median home price in Los Angeles is $880,000 versus $225,000 in Louisville — a difference of $655,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Kentucky averages 0.78%.