Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Cleveland, OH (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Cleveland

Ohio
51

Louisville is 45% more expensive than Cleveland.

$1,069/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$894/mo ↓ 16%
$64,731/yr ↑ 65%
Median Income
$39,187/yr ↓ 39%
$221,500 ↑ 135%
Home Value
$94,100 ↓ 58%
$1,118/mo ↑ 29%
Owner Costs
$866/mo ↓ 23%
627,210
Population
367,523

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
3.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Cleveland, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 51 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $175/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $2,100/year.

Median household income is $25,544/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $94,100 in Cleveland.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Cleveland slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Cleveland — common questions

Is Louisville or Cleveland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Cleveland?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Cleveland it's $894/month — a difference of $175/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Cleveland?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $39,187 in Cleveland. Median household income is $25,544/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Ohio?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Cleveland?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with rent of $894/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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