Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Newark, NJ (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Newark

New Jersey
100

Louisville is 26% cheaper than Newark.

$1,069/mo ↓ 20%
Median Rent
$1,330/mo ↑ 24%
$64,731/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$48,416/yr ↓ 25%
$221,500 ↓ 34%
Home Value
$337,800 ↑ 53%
$1,118/mo ↓ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,419/mo ↑ 27%
627,210
Population
307,188

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
0.83%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
33.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Newark, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $261/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $3,132/year.

Median household income is $16,315/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $337,800 in Newark.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Newark — common questions

Is Louisville or Newark cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Newark?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Newark it's $1,330/month — a difference of $261/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Newark?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $48,416 in Newark. Median household income is $16,315/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and New Jersey?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Newark?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Newark has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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