Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Louisville is 4% cheaper than Lafayette.

$1,069/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ≈ Same
$64,731/yr ↑ 5%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 5%
$221,500 ↓ 12%
Home Value
$251,300 ↑ 13%
$1,118/mo ↑ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 5%
627,210
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $3,277/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Louisville or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 77 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Lafayette?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $4/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Lafayette?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $3,277/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Louisiana?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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