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

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Sacramento

California
132

Louisville is 44% cheaper than Sacramento.

$1,069/mo ↓ 37%
Median Rent
$1,694/mo ↑ 58%
$64,731/yr ↓ 23%
Median Income
$83,753/yr ↑ 29%
$221,500 ↓ 54%
Home Value
$484,600 ↑ 119%
$1,118/mo ↓ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,752/mo ↑ 57%
627,210
Population
524,802

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
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Sacramento, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $625/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $7,500/year.

Median household income is $19,022/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $484,600 in Sacramento.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Sacramento — common questions

Is Louisville or Sacramento cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Sacramento?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Sacramento it's $1,694/month — a difference of $625/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Sacramento?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $83,753 in Sacramento. Median household income is $19,022/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,694/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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