Louisville KY vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Louisville
63.1%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 229,228 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 6.1% | Louisville + |
| White | 63.1% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 23.7% | 2.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 7.8% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $38,200 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 32.6% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $400,636 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 58.3% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 383 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 3409 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Spokane
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, 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 383 in Spokane. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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