Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Arvada, CO (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Arvada

Colorado
152

Louisville is 51% cheaper than Arvada.

$1,069/mo ↓ 41%
Median Rent
$1,802/mo ↑ 69%
$64,731/yr ↓ 43%
Median Income
$113,396/yr ↑ 75%
$221,500 ↓ 63%
Home Value
$600,800 ↑ 171%
$1,118/mo ↓ 43%
Owner Costs
$1,948/mo ↑ 74%
627,210
Population
122,835

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
4.4%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
2.9%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.51%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Arvada, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 152 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $733/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $8,796/year.

Median household income is $48,665/year higher in Arvada. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $600,800 in Arvada.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Arvada — common questions

Is Louisville or Arvada cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Arvada?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Arvada it's $1,802/month — a difference of $733/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Arvada?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $113,396 in Arvada. Median household income is $48,665/year higher in Arvada.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Colorado?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Arvada?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Arvada has a cost index of 152 with rent of $1,802/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Arvada details →

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