Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Arlington, VA (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

Louisville is 64% cheaper than Arlington.

$1,069/mo ↓ 53%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 113%
$64,731/yr ↓ 54%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 117%
$221,500 ↓ 74%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 290%
$1,118/mo ↓ 54%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 116%
627,210
Population
235,463

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,206/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $14,472/year.

Median household income is $75,429/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Arlington — common questions

Is Louisville or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Arlington?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $1,206/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Arlington?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $75,429/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Virginia?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Arlington details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Louisville and Arlington

Louisville vs. Memphis Louisville vs. Baltimore Louisville vs. Detroit Louisville vs. Milwaukee Louisville vs. Portland Louisville vs. Albuquerque Arlington vs. Boise Arlington vs. Norfolk Arlington vs. Scottsdale Arlington vs. Enterprise Arlington vs. Garland Arlington vs. Spokane