Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Providence, RI (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Providence

Rhode Island
99

Louisville is 25% cheaper than Providence.

$1,069/mo ↓ 20%
Median Rent
$1,333/mo ↑ 25%
$64,731/yr ↓ 3%
Median Income
$66,772/yr ↑ 3%
$221,500 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$322,800 ↑ 46%
$1,118/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,467/mo ↑ 31%
627,210
Population
190,214

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
5.99%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Providence, RI, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 99 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $264/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $3,168/year.

Median household income is $2,041/year higher in Providence. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $322,800 in Providence.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Providence — common questions

Is Louisville or Providence cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 99 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Providence?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Providence it's $1,333/month — a difference of $264/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Providence?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $66,772 in Providence. Median household income is $2,041/year higher in Providence.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Rhode Island?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Rhode Island has 5.99% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Providence?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Providence has a cost index of 99 with rent of $1,333/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Providence details →

More Comparisons

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