Gainesville FL vs Louisville KY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gainesville
143,611
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.7 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 9.8% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.6% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 8.6% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $52,606 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.0% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 33.4% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Louisville
1505
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1505 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.2 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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