Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Allentown, PA (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Allentown

Pennsylvania
79

Louisville is 6% cheaper than Allentown.

$1,069/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,269/mo ↑ 19%
$64,731/yr ↑ 21%
Median Income
$53,403/yr ↓ 18%
$221,500 ↑ 17%
Home Value
$188,900 ↓ 15%
$1,118/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,243/mo ↑ 11%
627,210
Population
125,320

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
3.07%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.49%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Allentown, PA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $200/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $2,400/year.

Median household income is $11,328/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $188,900 in Allentown.

Pennsylvania has a lower income tax rate, making Allentown slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Allentown — common questions

Is Louisville or Allentown cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 79 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Allentown?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Allentown it's $1,269/month — a difference of $200/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Allentown?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $53,403 in Allentown. Median household income is $11,328/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Pennsylvania?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Pennsylvania has 3.07% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.49% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Allentown?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Allentown has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,269/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Allentown details →

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