KentuckyPop. 631,818Large cities
Is Louisville a Good Place to Live? Louisville, Kentucky: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Louisville ranks #1000 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #25 of 37 large cities and #15 of 20 in Kentucky. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low rents ($1,120/mo, #4 of 37) and low living costs (93.1, #5 of 37), with no measure in the bottom quarter.
Louisville by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Louisville's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Louisville?
Louisville's cost of living index is 93.1, 7% below the US level of 100 and #382 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,120/mo against $1,472/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $263,130, 13% above the typical Kentucky home ($232,577).
| Measure | Louisville | KentuckyKY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 100.3 · US 100 | 93.1#382 of 1,308 | 90.2 | 100.3 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $345,503 · US $368,697 | $263,130#276 of 1,187 | $232,577 | $345,503 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,615/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,353/mo#210 of 1,115 | — | $1,615/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $334,100 | $233,900#340 of 1,309 | — | $334,100 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,472/mo | $1,120/mo#359 of 1,309 | — | $1,472/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.7x | 3.5x#381 of 1,309 | — | 4.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 23.6% | 20.1%#458 of 1,309 | — | 23.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 37 cities of 500,000 or more we track (median). Kentucky is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Louisville housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Louisville is in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro.
Kentucky housing market →Is Louisville safe?
Louisville recorded 674 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 2.1 times the US rate of 328 and 3.2 times Kentucky's 212. That ranks #954 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #18 of 36 large cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Louisville Metro Police Department. Property crime runs 3,455 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Louisville | KentuckyKY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 677 · US 328 | 674#954 of 1,085 | 212 | 677 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 2,958 · US 1,548 | 3,455#1006 of 1,085 | 1,262 | 2,958 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 37 cities of 500,000 or more we track (median). Kentucky is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Louisville?
The median household in Louisville earns $66,849, 20% below the US figure of $83,163 and 4% above Kentucky ($64,526). Unemployment is 4.5% (US 4.3%). 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.1% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Louisville | KentuckyKY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,877 · US $83,163 | $66,849#885 of 1,312 | $64,526 | $73,877 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.4% · US 4.3% | 4.5%#705 of 1,058 | 4.6% | 4.4% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 15.8% | 15.8%#910 of 1,312 | — | 15.8% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.5% | +0.1%#597 of 1,132 | +0.5% | +0.2% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 37 cities of 500,000 or more we track (median). Kentucky is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Louisville?
The median resident of Louisville is 37.7 years old, against 35.2 in similar-size cities. 33.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #654 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 60.7% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Louisville | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 35.2 | 37.7 | 35.2 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 37.1% | 33.8%#654 of 1,312 | 37.1% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 51% | 60.7% | 51% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 37 cities of 500,000 or more we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Louisville's schools and health?
Louisville's 74 public schools graduate 84.8% of students in four years (Kentucky 90.1%), with 15.9 students per teacher and $18,141 spent per pupil. 36.3% of adults are obese and 13.4% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 32.9% and 11.9%.
| Measure | Louisville | KentuckyKY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 82% | 84.8%#729 of 1,063 | 90.1% | 82% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 16.7 | 15.9#617 of 1,188 | — | 16.7 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $17,204 | $18,141#333 of 1,188 | — | $17,204 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 32.9% | 36.3%#895 of 1,311 | — | 32.9% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.9% | 13.4%#1007 of 1,311 | — | 11.9% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 17.8% | 16.2%#457 of 1,311 | — | 17.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 13% | 6.9%#243 of 1,311 | — | 13% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 37 cities of 500,000 or more we track (median). Kentucky is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 47,962 students are enrolled in Louisville's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Louisville?
The average commute in Louisville is 22.5 minutes (Kentucky 24.5); 1.8% of workers take transit and 13.3% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Louisville scores 9.1 of 20 (below average walkable), #812 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 78.4°F and winters 38.3°F, with 48.3 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Louisville | KentuckyKY | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 24.7 min | 22.5 min#544 of 1,312 | 24.5 min | 24.7 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.9% | 3.4%#276 of 1,312 | 6.5% | 4.9% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.8% | 72.3% | 76.4% | 65.8% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2.1% | 1.8% | 0.6% | 2.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2.1% | 2% | 1.9% | 2.1% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.5% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.5% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 17.8% | 13.3% | 9.5% | 17.8% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 12.6 | 9.1#812 of 1,312 | — | 12.6 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 37 cities of 500,000 or more we track (median). Kentucky is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43.6 | 27.8 | 3.4 |
| Feb | 48.3 | 30.7 | 3.4 |
| Mar | 58.1 | 38.6 | 4.6 |
| Apr | 69.6 | 48.5 | 4.8 |
| May | 77.8 | 58.7 | 5.2 |
| Jun | 85.7 | 67.2 | 4.3 |
| Jul | 89 | 70.8 | 4.1 |
| Aug | 88.4 | 69.5 | 3.7 |
| Sep | 82.2 | 61.9 | 3.7 |
| Oct | 70.5 | 50.1 | 3.7 |
| Nov | 57.6 | 39.4 | 3.4 |
| Dec | 47.2 | 32.1 | 4.1 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Louisville International Airport.
| Measure | Louisville | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 61.4°F | 58.9°F | 61.4°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 78.4°F | 78.4°F | 78.4°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 44.3°F | 38.3°F | 44.3°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 35.6 in | 48.3 in | 35.6 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 37 cities of 500,000 or more we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Louisville International Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Louisville?
Jefferson County's air had a median air quality index of 49, and 52% of measured days were rated good; 10 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Jefferson County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, earthquake, and tornado, with expected yearly losses of 0.17% of building value, higher than 63% of US counties.
| Measure | Louisville | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 51 | 49#814 of 1,138 | 51 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 7 | 10#859 of 1,138 | 7 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.17%#814 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 37 cities of 500,000 or more we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Jefferson County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Jefferson County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 0.13% | 86% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.01% | 79% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.012% | 61% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Louisville compare with similar-size cities?
Louisville is one of 37 cities of 500,000 or more we track and ranks #25 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 631,818.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KYPop. 631,818 | #1000 | 50.0 | $66,849 | $1,120/mo | 674 | 22.5 min |
| Oklahoma City, OKPop. 697,125 | #938 | 51.1 | $68,656 | $1,130/mo | 681 | 22.2 min |
| El Paso, TXPop. 680,130 | #857 | 52.3 | $59,745 | $1,073/mo | 289 | 23.4 min |
| Boston, MAPop. 666,442 | #339 | 61.1 | $97,344 | $2,147/mo | 583 | 30.3 min |
| Las Vegas, NVPop. 660,400 | #1130 | 47.2 | $73,877 | $1,563/mo | county/metro | 25.7 min |
| Portland, ORPop. 641,165 | #736 | 54.3 | $90,919 | $1,655/mo | 702 | 24.1 min |
| Detroit, MIPop. 638,530 | #1310 | 32.4 | $39,938 | $1,074/mo | 1,654 | 24.8 min |
| Memphis, TNPop. 618,980 | #1297 | 37.4 | $51,736 | $1,181/mo | 1,853 | 21.1 min |
| Baltimore, MDPop. 573,243 | #1088 | 48.0 | $62,177 | $1,331/mo | 1,351 | 29.1 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Louisville compare with the rest of Kentucky?
Louisville ranks #15 of the 20 Kentucky cities we track, with a score of 50 against Kentucky's statewide 44.8. Its households earn 4% above the Kentucky median. Violent crime is 3.2 times the statewide rate. Homes are 13% above the typical Kentucky home.
| City | Rank in KY | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence, KYPop. 29,392 | #1 | 64.4 | $102,361 | $1,250/mo | 49 |
| Jeffersontown, KYPop. 29,199 | #2 | 61.1 | $81,506 | $1,320/mo | 65 |
| Florence, KYPop. 32,803 | #3 | 60.5 | $71,003 | $1,329/mo | 199 |
| Georgetown, KYPop. 39,117 | #4 | 60.3 | $80,088 | $1,255/mo | 165 |
| Lexington, KYPop. 323,725 | #5 | 59.9 | $69,479 | $1,164/mo | 228 |
| Erlanger, KYPop. 19,875 | #6 | 58.4 | $75,840 | $970/mo | 69 |
| Nicholasville, KYPop. 32,197 | #7 | 58.0 | $68,503 | $1,147/mo | 197 |
| Covington, KYPop. 41,110 | #8 | 57.5 | $61,166 | $1,006/mo | 290 |
| Elizabethtown, KYPop. 32,576 | #9 | 57.4 | $60,760 | $909/mo | 110 |
| Richmond, KYPop. 37,111 | #10 | 55.5 | $50,870 | $917/mo | 243 |
| Frankfort, KYPop. 28,503 | #11 | 53.8 | $53,073 | $944/mo | 238 |
| Owensboro, KYPop. 60,302 | #12 | 51.6 | $56,357 | $905/mo | 413 |
| Bowling Green, KYPop. 75,388 | #13 | 50.8 | $48,873 | $998/mo | 187 |
| Ashland, KYPop. 21,295 | #14 | 50.8 | $52,715 | $872/mo | 244 |
| Louisville, KYPop. 631,818 | #15 | 50.0 | $66,849 | $1,120/mo | 674 |
| Paducah, KYPop. 26,845 | #16 | 49.8 | $49,915 | $834/mo | 274 |
| Henderson, KYPop. 27,852 | #17 | 49.6 | $48,186 | $771/mo | 278 |
| Madisonville, KYPop. 19,515 | #18 | 46.6 | $53,860 | $838/mo | 149 |
| Hopkinsville, KYPop. 30,906 | #19 | 45.9 | $49,139 | $902/mo | 300 |
| Radcliff, KYPop. 22,864 | #20 | 45.6 | $58,559 | $971/mo | 287 |
All 20 Kentucky cities we track, by overall score. Kentucky statewide: median income $64,526, violent crime 212.1 per 100,000.
How is Louisville's score calculated?
Louisville scores 50 out of 100, #1000 of 1,312 (grade C, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with Kentucky's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Louisville. Similar-size median 50.4.
46.2 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Louisville's police agency. Similar-size median 44.7.
39.1 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Louisville. Similar-size median 52.4.
49.1 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Louisville's public schools. Similar-size median 52.5.
61.5 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Louisville's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 64.1.
78.3 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Louisville. Similar-size median 43.4.
40.1 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Louisville. Similar-size median 40.4.
40.4 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Louisville. Similar-size median 56.6.
51.9 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Louisville's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 61.1.
42.6 - EnvironmentCounty data · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 46.4.
39.6 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Louisville's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 37 cities of 500,000 or more we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Louisville has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Louisville
Is Louisville, KY a good place to live?
Louisville ranks #1000 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #25 of 37 large cities and #15 of 20 in Kentucky. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low rents ($1,120/mo, #4 of 37) and low living costs (93.1, #5 of 37), with no measure in the bottom quarter.
What is the cost of living in Louisville?
Louisville's cost of living index is 93.1, 7% below the US level of 100 and #382 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,120/mo against $1,472/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $263,130, 13% above the typical Kentucky home ($232,577).
What is the crime rate in Louisville?
Louisville recorded 674 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 2.1 times the US rate of 328 and 3.2 times Kentucky's 212. That ranks #954 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #18 of 36 large cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Louisville Metro Police Department. Property crime runs 3,455 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Louisville?
The median household in Louisville earns $66,849, 20% below the US figure of $83,163 and 4% above Kentucky ($64,526). Unemployment is 4.5% (US 4.3%). 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.1% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Louisville?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,120/mo (Census), #359 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,353/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 20.1% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Louisville?
The typical home value in Louisville is $263,130, up 1.2% in a year, against $232,577 for Kentucky and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $233,900.
How are the public schools in Louisville?
Louisville's 74 public schools graduate 84.8% of students in four years (Kentucky 90.1%), with 15.9 students per teacher and $18,141 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Louisville?
The average commute is 22.5 minutes, #544 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 24.5 minutes across Kentucky. 3.4% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Louisville?
Louisville averages 58.9°F over the year, 78.4°F in summer and 38.3°F in winter, with 48.3 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Louisville walkable?
Louisville scores 9.1 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #812 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Louisville at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Jefferson County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, earthquake, and tornado, with expected yearly losses of 0.17% of building value, higher than 63% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Louisville?
Jefferson County's air had a median air quality index of 49, and 52% of measured days were rated good; 10 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Louisville?
Louisville has 631,818 residents. The median resident of Louisville is 37.7 years old, against 35.2 in similar-size cities. 33.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #654 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 60.7% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Louisville compare with the rest of Kentucky?
Louisville ranks #15 of the 20 Kentucky cities we track, with a score of 50 against Kentucky's statewide 44.8. Its households earn 4% above the Kentucky median. Violent crime is 3.2 times the statewide rate. Homes are 13% above the typical Kentucky home.
What cities are similar in size to Louisville?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Louisville's population of 631,818 are Oklahoma City, OK (#938 overall), El Paso, TX (#857 overall), Boston, MA (#339 overall), Las Vegas, NV (#1130 overall), and Portland, OR (#736 overall). Louisville is #1000.