Louisville KY vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 393,389 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 63.1% | 51.8% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 21.3% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $376,530 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 50.2% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 324 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 46.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 26.8 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 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