Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Wichita, KS (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Wichita

Kansas
65

Louisville is 14% more expensive than Wichita.

$1,069/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$960/mo ↓ 10%
$64,731/yr ↑ 3%
Median Income
$63,072/yr ↓ 3%
$221,500 ↑ 23%
Home Value
$179,500 ↓ 19%
$1,118/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$994/mo ↓ 11%
627,210
Population
396,488

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Wichita, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $109/month cheaper in Wichita, saving renters about $1,308/year.

Median household income is $1,659/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $179,500 in Wichita.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Wichita — common questions

Is Louisville or Wichita cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wichita is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Wichita?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Wichita it's $960/month — a difference of $109/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Wichita?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $63,072 in Wichita. Median household income is $1,659/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Kansas?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Wichita?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Wichita has a cost index of 65 with rent of $960/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Wichita details →

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