Louisville KY vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 209,720 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 8.3% | Louisville + |
| White | 63.1% | 41.5% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $46,628 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $30,451 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.9% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 26.6% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 29.9% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 37.2% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 434 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1736 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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