salaryLouisville is the largest city in Kentucky that we track, with 631,818 residents. Rent is lower than in 71% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,120 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Kentucky cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Kentucky. It is number 56 of 87 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Louisville with other big cities
Compare Louisville to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Louisville?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Louisville
| Size | Louisville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $867 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $970 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,200 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,424 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,561 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Louisville overall?
Everyday prices in the Louisville/Jefferson County metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Louisville
Life in Louisville
What jobs pay in Louisville
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $143,920 | 10.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $130,830 | 11.7% |
| Lawyer | $124,530 | 12.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,900 | 12.5% |
| Software Developer | $110,270 | 13.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $102,650 | 14.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $97,970 | 15.7% |
| Operations Manager | $89,140 | 17.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,850 | 18.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,390 | 18.8% |
| Accountant | $76,320 | 20.1% |
| Plumber | $74,680 | 20.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,460 | 23.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,280 | 24.2% |
| Police Officer | $63,220 | 24.3% |
| Electrician | $62,440 | 24.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,610 | 24.9% |
| Truck Driver | $59,000 | 26.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,930 | 26.0% |
| Carpenter | $56,520 | 27.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,830 | 32.7% |
| Firefighter | $45,160 | 34.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,450 | 34.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,220 | 36.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,600 | 36.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,950 | 42.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,660 | 50.0% |
| Cashier | $30,560 | 50.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $30,180 | 50.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Louisville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $345 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $233,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $23,390 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Louisville, KY?
Renting in Louisville costs a median of about $1,278 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Kentucky median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Louisville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,120 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Louisville cheap or expensive?
Louisville is rated OK: rent takes 21.3% of the typical household income of $72,097. It ranks 56th cheapest of 87 Kentucky cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Louisville?
The median homeowner in Louisville pays $1,989 a year in property taxes, about 0.85% of the median home value.
Is Louisville more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Louisville?
The median home value in Louisville is $233,900, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
631,818 people live in Louisville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.