Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Louisville, KY (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Louisville

Kentucky
74

San Jose is 243% more expensive than Louisville.

$2,617/mo ↑ 145%
Median Rent
$1,069/mo ↓ 59%
$141,565/yr ↑ 119%
Median Income
$64,731/yr ↓ 54%
$1,187,800 ↑ 436%
Home Value
$221,500 ↓ 81%
$2,775/mo ↑ 148%
Owner Costs
$1,118/mo ↓ 60%
990,054
Population
627,210

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.83%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Louisville, KY, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,548/month cheaper in Louisville, saving renters about $18,576/year.

Median household income is $76,834/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $221,500 in Louisville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Louisville — common questions

Is San Jose or Louisville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Louisville is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Louisville?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Louisville it's $1,069/month — a difference of $1,548/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Louisville?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $64,731 in Louisville. Median household income is $76,834/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Kentucky?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Louisville?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Louisville has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,069/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Louisville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Jose and Louisville

San Jose vs. Dallas San Jose vs. Austin San Jose vs. San Diego San Jose vs. Jacksonville San Jose vs. San Antonio San Jose vs. Fort Worth Louisville vs. Memphis Louisville vs. Baltimore Louisville vs. Detroit Louisville vs. Milwaukee Louisville vs. Portland Louisville vs. Albuquerque