Louisville KY vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 68,141 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 42.1 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 63.1% | 17.9% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 5.3% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $523,551 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 503 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2388 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Vallejo
31.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Vallejo
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Vallejo
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Vallejo
13.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Vallejo
12.0%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Vallejo, CA | 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 36.0 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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