Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Gainesville, FL (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Gainesville

Florida
81

Louisville is 9% cheaper than Gainesville.

$1,069/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$1,214/mo ↑ 14%
$64,731/yr ↑ 42%
Median Income
$45,611/yr ↓ 30%
$221,500 ↓ 6%
Home Value
$235,000 ↑ 6%
$1,118/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,167/mo ↑ 4%
627,210
Population
143,611

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
31.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Gainesville, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 81 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $145/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $1,740/year.

Median household income is $19,120/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $235,000 in Gainesville.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Gainesville residents a significant tax advantage over Kentucky's 4.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Gainesville — common questions

Is Louisville or Gainesville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 81 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Gainesville?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Gainesville it's $1,214/month — a difference of $145/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Gainesville?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $45,611 in Gainesville. Median household income is $19,120/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Florida?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Gainesville?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Gainesville has a cost index of 81 with rent of $1,214/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Gainesville details →

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