Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Tuscaloosa

Alabama
73

Louisville and Tuscaloosa have a similar cost of living.

$1,069/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$1,005/mo ↓ 6%
$64,731/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$48,536/yr ↓ 25%
$221,500 ↓ 6%
Home Value
$236,600 ↑ 7%
$1,118/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,038/mo ↓ 7%
627,210
Population
107,699

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Tuscaloosa, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $64/month cheaper in Tuscaloosa, saving renters about $768/year.

Median household income is $16,195/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $236,600 in Tuscaloosa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Tuscaloosa — common questions

Is Louisville or Tuscaloosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Tuscaloosa is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Tuscaloosa?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Tuscaloosa it's $1,005/month — a difference of $64/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Tuscaloosa?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $48,536 in Tuscaloosa. Median household income is $16,195/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Alabama?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Tuscaloosa?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Tuscaloosa has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,005/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Tuscaloosa details →

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