City Comparison
Louisville vs Richmond
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Richmond scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Louisville
Richmond
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Richmond is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Louisville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Louisville's average rent is
32% higher than Richmond's.
| Metric | Louisville | Richmond | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $950 | +32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $1,830 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Louisville offers 22% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Louisville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Louisville is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Richmond.
| Metric | Louisville | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $51,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 57,955 idx |
| Household Income | $65,200 | $53,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Richmond sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Louisville | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.80°F | 56.60°F |
| Summer High | 86.20°F | 85.00°F |
| Winter Low | 26.80°F | 26.40°F |
| Rainfall | 52.90 in | 56.10 in |
| Snowfall | 18.70 in | 19.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | 234 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Louisville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Louisville | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 49.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Louisville is the larger city
— approximately 17.4x the population of Richmond.
From a growth perspective, Richmond is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Louisville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Louisville | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 633,045 | 36,452 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 34.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Louisville
Advantages
Median home prices in Louisville remain roughly 15% below the national average per Redfin 2024 data.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by major regional networks like Norton Healthcare.
Extensive public park system designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
Thriving culinary and craft beverage culture recognized internationally for bourbon and dining.
Strategic geographic location serving as a major logistics and shipping hub with the UPS Worldport.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited primarily to bus routes, resulting in high car dependency outside the urban core.
Certain urban neighborhoods experience higher rates of property and violent crime per local police department data.
Property tax rates and homeowners insurance costs have seen upward pressure in recent years.
Summer humidity and seasonal allergy index rankings frequently challenge allergy sufferers.
State-level legislative dynamics can sometimes conflict with progressive municipal governance priorities.
Richmond
Advantages
Median home prices in Richmond remain significantly below the national average per Zillow data.
Eastern Kentucky University provides a rich cultural, educational, and economic anchor for the city.
Proximity to outdoor recreation, including Lake Reba and Daniel Boone National Forest.
Lower-than-average cost of living spanning housing, utilities, and everyday goods.
Convenient access via Interstate 75 to larger metropolitan hubs like Lexington.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Average local salaries lag behind the national GDP per capita benchmarks.
Job market diversity can be somewhat constrained outside of education, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Humid subtropical summer conditions can bring uncomfortable humidity levels.
Local entertainment options are more limited compared to nearby Lexington.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Louisville
#299Kentucky, USA
61.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
57.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
Business
70
Richmond
#224Kentucky, USA
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$51,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
67
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