Louisville KY vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 63.1% | 36.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $60,698 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $37,669 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.4% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 22.0% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 52.3% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 319 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1613 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 48.5 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 34.5 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. 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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