Median rent is 40% lower in Louisville/Jefferson County ($1,069/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in Louisville/Jefferson County, where the median home runs $221,500 versus $751,700. Households earn more in New York ($79,713 vs $64,731 a year).
City A
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Louisville/Jefferson County, KY?
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
Louisville/Jefferson County
Kentucky
New York
New York
👥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 $1,779/mo in New York, a 40% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $221,500 in Louisville/Jefferson County — 71% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Kentucky's top income tax rate is 4.00% versus 10.90% in New York, so Louisville/Jefferson County is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Kentucky and 4.00% in New York; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Louisville/Jefferson County
Income tax: 4.00%
Sales tax: 6.00%
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Louisville/Jefferson County has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 61.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick New York if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,713/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 Louisville/Jefferson County if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.00%).
Is Louisville/Jefferson County cheaper than New York?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Louisville/Jefferson County vs New York?
Median rent is $1,069/mo in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and $1,779/mo in New York, NY. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has the lower rent by about 40%.
Which has higher salaries — Louisville/Jefferson County or New York?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and $79,713 in New York, NY. New York, NY 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 61.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Louisville/Jefferson County or New York?
Kentucky's top income tax rate is 4.00% and New York's is 10.90%. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in New York to match my Louisville/Jefferson County 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