Louisville KY vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 227,595 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| White | 63.1% | 43.2% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.1% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $62,671 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 18.8% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $374,265 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 43.5% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Richmond
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Richmond
1726
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 240 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1726 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 43.6 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
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 240 in Richmond. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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