Louisville KY vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Louisville
627,210
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 63.1% | 39.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.5% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $580,173 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 41.1% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 398 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1999 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Washington
7.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Washington, DC | 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
Louisville +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 32.8 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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