Louisville KY vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 470,763 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 63.1% | 53.8% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $435,807 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 51.2% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 398 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1999 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 46.2 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Raleigh, NC | 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 +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 25.1 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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