Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Louisville, KY (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Louisville

Kentucky
74

Austin is 81% more expensive than Louisville.

$1,655/mo ↑ 55%
Median Rent
$1,069/mo ↓ 35%
$91,461/yr ↑ 41%
Median Income
$64,731/yr ↓ 29%
$512,700 ↑ 131%
Home Value
$221,500 ↓ 57%
$1,747/mo ↑ 56%
Owner Costs
$1,118/mo ↓ 36%
967,862
Population
627,210

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Louisville, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $586/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $7,032/year.

Median household income is $26,730/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $221,500 in Louisville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Kentucky's 4.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Louisville — common questions

Is Austin or Louisville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Louisville?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Louisville it's $1,069/month — a difference of $586/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Louisville?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $64,731 in Louisville. Median household income is $26,730/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Kentucky?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Louisville?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Louisville has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,069/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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