Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Hampton, VA (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Hampton

Virginia
88

Louisville is 16% cheaper than Hampton.

$1,069/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$1,346/mo ↑ 26%
$64,731/yr ↓ 4%
Median Income
$67,758/yr ↑ 5%
$221,500 ↓ 5%
Home Value
$234,100 ↑ 6%
$1,118/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,347/mo ↑ 20%
627,210
Population
137,334

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Hampton, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $277/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $3,324/year.

Median household income is $3,027/year higher in Hampton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $234,100 in Hampton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Hampton — common questions

Is Louisville or Hampton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Hampton?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Hampton it's $1,346/month — a difference of $277/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Hampton?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $67,758 in Hampton. Median household income is $3,027/year higher in Hampton.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Virginia?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Hampton?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Hampton has a cost index of 88 with rent of $1,346/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Hampton details →

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