Louisville KY vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 220,482 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 63.1% | 59.4% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 10.5% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.3% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $496,966 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 56.5% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tacoma, 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
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 31.1 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 Tacoma. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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