Louisville KY vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.7 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 63.1% | 40.5% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 5.1% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.6% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $1,369,171 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 38.5% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Louisville, KY | San Francisco, 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
San Francisco
17.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
San Francisco
14.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
San Francisco
6.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
San Francisco
9.1%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 33.9 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Louisville, KY vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Louisville, KYChicago, IL vs Louisville, KYHouston, TX vs Louisville, KYLouisville, KY vs Phoenix, AZLouisville, KY vs Philadelphia, PA