Median rent is 35% lower in Louisville/Jefferson County ($1,069/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Louisville/Jefferson County, where the median home runs $221,500 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $64,731 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
How much would you need to earn in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Austin
Texas
Louisville/Jefferson County
Kentucky
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Louisville/Jefferson County — median rent of $1,069/mo versus $1,655/mo in Austin, a 35% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $221,500 in Louisville/Jefferson County — 57% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Kentucky tops out at 4.00% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.00% in Kentucky; Louisville/Jefferson County has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Louisville/Jefferson County
Income tax: 4.00%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Louisville/Jefferson County has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 47.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick Louisville/Jefferson County if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,069/mo median).
Pick Louisville/Jefferson County if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Austin cheaper than Louisville/Jefferson County?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Louisville/Jefferson County?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,069/mo in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has the lower rent by about 35%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Louisville/Jefferson County?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $64,731 in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Austin or Louisville/Jefferson County?
Texas has no state income tax. Kentucky has a top rate of 4.00%.
What salary do I need in Louisville/Jefferson County to match my Austin income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology