Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Charleston, SC (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

Louisville is 42% cheaper than Charleston.

$1,069/mo ↓ 34%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↑ 53%
$64,731/yr ↓ 28%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 39%
$221,500 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 112%
$1,118/mo ↓ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↑ 51%
627,210
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $563/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $6,756/year.

Median household income is $25,307/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Charleston — common questions

Is Louisville or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Charleston?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $563/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Charleston?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $25,307/year higher in Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and South Carolina?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Charleston has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Charleston details →

More Comparisons

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