Louisville KY vs Newark NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 307,188 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 63.1% | 16.5% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.9% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $48,416 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $25,509 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 10.9% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 24.7% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 17.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $482,675 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 24.1% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 46.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 35.9 min | Louisville + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 223 in Louisville. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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