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

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Springfield

Missouri
60

Louisville is 23% more expensive than Springfield.

$1,069/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$920/mo ↓ 14%
$64,731/yr ↑ 41%
Median Income
$45,984/yr ↓ 29%
$221,500 ↑ 34%
Home Value
$165,200 ↓ 25%
$1,118/mo ↑ 23%
Owner Costs
$908/mo ↓ 19%
627,210
Population
169,432

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.225%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Springfield, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 60 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $149/month cheaper in Springfield, saving renters about $1,788/year.

Median household income is $18,747/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $165,200 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 60 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 $920/month — a difference of $149/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Springfield?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $45,984 in Springfield. Median household income is $18,747/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Missouri?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% 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 60 with rent of $920/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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