Louisville KY vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 457,066 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.1% | Louisville + |
| White | 63.1% | 61.6% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 18.9% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $427,121 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Virginia Beach
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 240 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1726 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 25.0 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, 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 240 in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 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