dayblip

Washington DC vs Louisville

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

Compare a different city:

VS

QUICK ANSWER

Louisville is 43% cheaper than Washington DC overall.Washington DC has a cost of living index of 152 vs Louisville at 87 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Washington DC costs 67% more.

Pierre
Built by Pierre — MBA, Business Strategist & AI Consultant, Founder of DayblipAbout the author →
Washington DC
DC
152
COLI index
VS
Louisville
KY
87
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryWashington DCLouisvilleDifference
Overall COLI15287-43%
Housing25282-67%
Groceries110101-8%
Transport112100-11%
Healthcare105102-3%
Utilities115105-9%

Median 1BR Rent

Washington DC
$2,400/mo
Louisville
$1,100/mo

Median Home Price

Washington DC
$640,000
Louisville
$210,000

Median Household Income

Washington DC
$93,511
Louisville
$52,439

Share Your Result

Surprised by this number? Share it with friends and family

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville is cheaper to live in overall. Washington DC has a cost of living index of 152 while Louisville has an index of 87, where 100 represents the US national average. Louisville is 43% cheaper than Washington DC overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Washington DC is $2,400 per month compared to $1,100 in Louisville. The median home price in Washington DC is $640,000 versus $210,000 in Louisville. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Washington DC has a cost of living index of 152 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 Washington DC, multiply by 0.57. For example a $75,000 salary in Washington DC is equivalent to approximately $42,928 in Louisville.

Washington DC has a median household income of $93,511 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 Washington DC to Louisville is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Louisville is 43% 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.