Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Louisville is 26% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,069/mo ↓ 18%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↑ 23%
$64,731/yr ↑ 1%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↓ 1%
$221,500 ↓ 37%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 58%
$1,118/mo ↓ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 23%
627,210
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $242/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $2,904/year.

Median household income is $831/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Louisville or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Wilmington?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $242/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Wilmington?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $831/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and North Carolina?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Louisville or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Louisville details → View Wilmington details →

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