Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Athens, GA (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

Louisville is 11% cheaper than Athens.

$1,069/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↑ 9%
$64,731/yr ↑ 25%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 20%
$221,500 ↓ 19%
Home Value
$271,800 ↑ 23%
$1,118/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↑ 4%
627,210
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $93/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $1,116/year.

Median household income is $13,076/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Athens — common questions

Is Louisville or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 83 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Athens?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $93/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Athens?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $13,076/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Georgia?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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