Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Syracuse, NY (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Louisville is 25% more expensive than Syracuse.

$1,069/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 7%
$64,731/yr ↑ 41%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 29%
$221,500 ↑ 77%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 44%
$1,118/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 12%
627,210
Population
146,211

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
10.9%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $71/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $852/year.

Median household income is $18,886/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Louisville or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Syracuse?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $71/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Syracuse?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $18,886/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and New York?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Syracuse has a cost index of 59 with rent of $998/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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