Louisville KY vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 154,751 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 63.1% | 40.8% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 20.0% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $51,339 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $27,054 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 8.2% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 25.3% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 19.7% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $298,985 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 49.5% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 326 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
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 326 in Springfield. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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