Louisville KY vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 543,348 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 63.1% | 58.2% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $54,546 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $31,152 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.4% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 18.8% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 30.2% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $324,946 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 51.7% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 450 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2150 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
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 450 in Tucson. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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