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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Louisville

Kentucky
74

Houston is 19% more expensive than Louisville.

$1,313/mo ↑ 23%
Median Rent
$1,069/mo ↓ 19%
$62,894/yr ↓ 3%
Median Income
$64,731/yr ↑ 3%
$253,400 ↑ 14%
Home Value
$221,500 ↓ 13%
$1,316/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,118/mo ↓ 15%
2,300,419
Population
627,210

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Louisville, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $244/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $2,928/year.

Median household income is $1,837/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $221,500 in Louisville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Louisville — common questions

Is Houston or Louisville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Louisville?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Louisville it's $1,069/month — a difference of $244/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Louisville?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $64,731 in Louisville. Median household income is $1,837/year higher in Louisville.
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 Houston or Louisville?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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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