Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Kansas City, KS (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Kansas City

Kansas City
65

Louisville is 14% more expensive than Kansas City.

$1,069/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,073/mo ≈ Same
$64,731/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$59,183/yr ↓ 9%
$221,500 ↑ 51%
Home Value
$147,100 ↓ 34%
$1,118/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,054/mo ↓ 6%
627,210
Population
154,776

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Kansas City, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $5,548/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $147,100 in Kansas City.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Kansas City — common questions

Is Louisville or Kansas City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Kansas City is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Kansas City?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Kansas City it's $1,073/month — a difference of $4/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Kansas City?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $59,183 in Kansas City. Median household income is $5,548/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Kansas?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Kansas City?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Kansas City has a cost index of 65 with rent of $1,073/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Kansas City details →

More Comparisons

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