Louisville KY vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Sacramento
524,802
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 524,802 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 63.1% | 36.8% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 12.4% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.2% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $480,548 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 51.5% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 503 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2388 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 27.0 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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