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

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Louisville and Fayetteville have a similar cost of living.

$1,069/mo ↓ 9%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↑ 10%
$64,731/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 13%
$221,500 ↑ 29%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 22%
$1,118/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↑ 3%
627,210
Population
209,692

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
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $110/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $1,320/year.

Median household income is $8,336/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Louisville or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $110/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $8,336/year higher in Louisville.
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 Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,179/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Fayetteville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Louisville and Fayetteville

Louisville vs. Memphis Louisville vs. Baltimore Louisville vs. Detroit Louisville vs. Milwaukee Louisville vs. Portland Louisville vs. Albuquerque Fayetteville vs. Rochester Fayetteville vs. Yonkers Fayetteville vs. Frisco Fayetteville vs. Cape Coral Fayetteville vs. Moreno Valley Fayetteville vs. Worcester