Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Pasadena, CA (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Pasadena

California
220

Louisville is 66% cheaper than Pasadena.

$1,069/mo ↓ 52%
Median Rent
$2,218/mo ↑ 107%
$64,731/yr ↓ 38%
Median Income
$103,778/yr ↑ 60%
$221,500 ↓ 79%
Home Value
$1,045,000 ↑ 372%
$1,118/mo ↓ 52%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 109%
627,210
Population
136,462

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Pasadena, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 220 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,149/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $13,788/year.

Median household income is $39,047/year higher in Pasadena. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $1,045,000 in Pasadena.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Pasadena — common questions

Is Louisville or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 220 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Pasadena?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Pasadena it's $2,218/month — a difference of $1,149/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Pasadena?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $103,778 in Pasadena. Median household income is $39,047/year higher in Pasadena.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and California?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 220 with rent of $2,218/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Pasadena details →

More Comparisons

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