Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Madison, WI (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

Louisville is 28% cheaper than Madison.

$1,069/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↑ 28%
$64,731/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↑ 19%
$221,500 ↓ 36%
Home Value
$346,900 ↑ 57%
$1,118/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ↑ 32%
627,210
Population
275,568

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
7.65%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $295/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $3,540/year.

Median household income is $12,252/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Madison — common questions

Is Louisville or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 103 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Madison?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $295/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Madison?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $12,252/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Wisconsin?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Madison has a cost index of 103 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Madison details →

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