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Raleigh vs Louisville

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Louisville is 17% cheaper than Raleigh overall.Raleigh has a cost of living index of 105 vs Louisville at 87 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Raleigh costs 38% more.

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Raleigh
NC
105
COLI index
VS
Louisville
KY
87
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryRaleighLouisvilleDifference
Overall COLI10587-17%
Housing13282-38%
Groceries104101-3%
Transport107100-7%
Healthcare102102Same
Utilities101105+4%

Median 1BR Rent

Raleigh
$1,600/mo
Louisville
$1,100/mo

Median Home Price

Raleigh
$390,000
Louisville
$210,000

Median Household Income

Raleigh
$72,428
Louisville
$52,439

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Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville is cheaper to live in overall. Raleigh has a cost of living index of 105 while Louisville has an index of 87, where 100 represents the US national average. Louisville is 17% cheaper than Raleigh overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Raleigh is $1,600 per month compared to $1,100 in Louisville. The median home price in Raleigh is $390,000 versus $210,000 in Louisville. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Raleigh has a cost of living index of 105 and Louisville has an index of 87, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Raleigh, multiply by 0.83. For example a $75,000 salary in Raleigh is equivalent to approximately $62,143 in Louisville.

Raleigh has a median household income of $72,428 per year versus $52,439 in Louisville. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Raleigh to Louisville is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Louisville is 17% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.