Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Springfield, IL (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Springfield

Illinois
61

Louisville is 21% more expensive than Springfield.

$1,069/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$945/mo ↓ 12%
$64,731/yr ↓ 1%
Median Income
$65,537/yr ↑ 1%
$221,500 ↑ 43%
Home Value
$155,200 ↓ 30%
$1,118/mo ↑ 15%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 13%
627,210
Population
113,714

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.83%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Springfield, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $124/month cheaper in Springfield, saving renters about $1,488/year.

Median household income is $806/year higher in Springfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $155,200 in Springfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Springfield — common questions

Is Louisville or Springfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Springfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Springfield?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Springfield it's $945/month — a difference of $124/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Springfield?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $65,537 in Springfield. Median household income is $806/year higher in Springfield.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Illinois?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Springfield?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Springfield has a cost index of 61 with rent of $945/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Springfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Louisville and Springfield

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