Louisville, Kentucky
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Louisville.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Louisville?
For relocators asking how much Louisville costs: the housing index sits at 76 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $221,500 and rents near $1,069. Local median income is about $64,731 and unemployment recently ran 5.2% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 23 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 686.9 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 76U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $221,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,069U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $64,731U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.2%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 23 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 686.9per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 88°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Louisville compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 640,796City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $64,731Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year18% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 76ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year24% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $221,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year27% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,069City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year21% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.2%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 23 min8% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3424% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 686.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)17% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3891.5annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)26% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 88°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (87°F)U.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 30°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 48.3 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals46% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 241As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals10% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Louisville grew 7.4% from 596,482 in 2010 to 640,796 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Louisville expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Louisville's housing cost index is 76 versus 100 nationally — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($221,500 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,069 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 76 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $221,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,069 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Louisville?
Typical ownership costs center near $221,500, while median gross rent is about $1,069 a month. Against a median household income of $64,731, rent alone is roughly 20% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $221,500
- Median rent $1,069/month
- Median household income $64,731
What is the job market like in Louisville?
County unemployment recently ran 5.2% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Louisville is about $64,731 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 5.2% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $64,731
How long is the typical commute in Louisville?
Average one-way commute time is about 23 minutes, with Walk Score near 34/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 23 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 34/100
Is Louisville safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 686.9 per 100k and property about 3891.5 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 686.9 per 100k
- Property 3891.5 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Louisville?
Normals show summer highs near 88°F, winter lows near 30°F, about 48.3 inches of rain, and roughly 241 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 88°F
- Winter low 30°F
- 48.3 in rain · 241 sunny days
Louisville (pop. 640,796) sits in Kentucky. Households here report a median income near $64,731; our housing-derived cost index is about 76 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $221,500 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Ohio River valleys and rolling horse-country hills create distinct micro-markets. Pack for 88°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 30°F. Commutes average near 23 minutes one-way, with walkability near 34/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 5.2% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates near 686.9 per 100k sit in a mid-to-elevated band versus many peer cities in this catalog.
Louisville sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Louisville with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), Kentucky, 1600000US2148006) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Jefferson County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00093821 LOUISVILLE INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10