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

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Louisville is 30% cheaper than Paterson.

$1,069/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↑ 36%
$64,731/yr ↑ 20%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 17%
$221,500 ↓ 34%
Home Value
$335,400 ↑ 51%
$1,118/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↑ 39%
627,210
Population
157,660

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
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $388/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $4,656/year.

Median household income is $10,965/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Paterson — common questions

Is Louisville or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Paterson?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $388/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Paterson?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $10,965/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 Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

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