Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Cary, NC (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Cary

North Carolina
135

Louisville is 45% cheaper than Cary.

$1,069/mo ↓ 34%
Median Rent
$1,621/mo ↑ 52%
$64,731/yr ↓ 50%
Median Income
$129,399/yr ↑ 100%
$221,500 ↓ 58%
Home Value
$525,200 ↑ 137%
$1,118/mo ↓ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,744/mo ↑ 56%
627,210
Population
176,686

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Cary, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 135 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $552/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $6,624/year.

Median household income is $64,668/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $525,200 in Cary.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Cary — common questions

Is Louisville or Cary cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Cary?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Cary it's $1,621/month — a difference of $552/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Cary?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $129,399 in Cary. Median household income is $64,668/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and North Carolina?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Cary?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Cary has a cost index of 135 with rent of $1,621/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Cary details →

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