Cost of Living: Boston, MA vs Louisville, KY (2026)

Boston

Massachusetts
176
VS

Louisville

Kentucky
74

Boston is 102% more expensive than Louisville.

$2,093/mo ↑ 96%
Median Rent
$1,069/mo ↓ 49%
$94,755/yr ↑ 46%
Median Income
$64,731/yr ↓ 32%
$710,400 ↑ 221%
Home Value
$221,500 ↓ 69%
$2,176/mo ↑ 95%
Owner Costs
$1,118/mo ↓ 49%
663,972
Population
627,210

Tax Comparison

9.0%
Income Tax
4.0%
6.25%
Sales Tax
6.0%
1.15%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

26.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Boston, MA and Louisville, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 176 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,024/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $12,288/year.

Median household income is $30,024/year higher in Boston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Boston is $710,400 compared to $221,500 in Louisville.

Kentucky has a lower income tax rate, making Louisville slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston vs Louisville — common questions

Is Boston or Louisville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 176 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Boston and Louisville?
Median rent in Boston is $2,093/month and in Louisville it's $1,069/month — a difference of $1,024/month.
Which city has higher income, Boston or Louisville?
Median household income is $94,755 in Boston and $64,731 in Louisville. Median household income is $30,024/year higher in Boston.
How do taxes compare between Massachusetts and Kentucky?
Massachusetts has 9.0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.15% property tax. Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to Boston or Louisville?
It depends on your priorities. Boston has a cost index of 176 with median rent of $2,093/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.
View Boston details → View Louisville details →