Is Arlington, VA cheaper than Louisville, KY?

Based on cost of living data, Arlington, VA is 65.0% more expensive than Louisville, KY. This translates to spending an extra $4875 per month.

What salary do I need in Arlington, VA to live like I do in Louisville, KY?

If you earn $150,000 in Louisville, KY, you'd need approximately $208,497.814 in Arlington, VA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Louisville, KY and Arlington, VA?

Housing in Arlington, VA is 156.3% more expensive than in Louisville, KY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,325/month in Arlington, VA compared to $1,180/month in Louisville, KY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Louisville, KY to Arlington, VA?

Living in Arlington, VA costs approximately $4875 more per month than Louisville, KY, or $58498 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Louisville, KY vs Arlington, VA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Louisville, KY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $4.9K/month more in Arlington, VA

$150.0K in your current city equals $208.5K in Arlington, VA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN area

Overall Cost

↑ 65.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,875

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$58.5K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Louisville, KY

Population:629K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$204K

Arlington, VA

Population:239K

Cost Index:

165

(65% above avg)

Median Home:$556K

Louisville, KY

The Bluegrass State

629K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 629K residents.

Arlington, VA

The Old Dominion State

239K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 239K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Louisville, KY vs Arlington, VA

Category	Louisville, KY	Arlington, VA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,131/mo	$5,461/mo	↑ $3,330more	156.3%
Transportation	$1,311/mo	$1,842/mo	↑ $530more	40.4%
Other	$1,590/mo	$1,783/mo	↑ $192more	12.1%
Groceries	$959/mo	$1,067/mo	↑ $107more	11.2%
Healthcare	$564/mo	$625/mo	↑ $60.83more	10.8%
All Utilities	$464/mo	$502/mo	↑ $37.83more	8.1%

Housing

↑ 156.3%

Louisville, KY

$2,131

Arlington, VA

$5,461

Difference

$3,330

Transportation

↑ 40.4%

Louisville, KY

$1,311

Arlington, VA

$1,842

Difference

$530

Other

↑ 12.1%

Louisville, KY

$1,590

Arlington, VA

$1,783

Difference

$192

Groceries

↑ 11.2%

Louisville, KY

$959

Arlington, VA

$1,067

Difference

$107

Healthcare

↑ 10.8%

Louisville, KY

$564

Arlington, VA

$625

Difference

$60.83

All Utilities

↑ 8.1%

Louisville, KY

$464

Arlington, VA

$502

Difference

$37.83

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Louisville, KY: Louisville Occupational Tax$4,275/yr (2.9%)

Arlington, VA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$900

To$1,578

↑ $678

1 Bed

From$970

To$1,827

↑ $857

2 Bed

From$1,180

To$2,325

↑ $1,145

3 Bed

From$1,510

To$3,239

↑ $1,729

Louisville, KYZIP-level data

1BR range: $890–$1,490/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,020

Monthly in Louisville, KY

$11,279

Monthly in Arlington, VA

$4,259

Difference

Home Values

Louisville

Arlington

$204K

Median Value

↑ +3.2%

YoY Change

↑ +31.2%

5-Year Change

$88K - $467K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Louisville

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $868

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$72.29

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.6%

Rate difference

Louisville, KY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Kentucky State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

Arlington, VA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Virginia State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,718/month

$104.6K

Additional Tax Information

Louisville, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

Arlington, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Louisville

Arlington

50 Good

Air Quality

45 Good

50.8%

Good Air Days

63.7%

98 High

Climate Risk

98 High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌀🌡

▲+2.9°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.9°F

37 days

Heat Days >95°F

27 days

▲+2.9°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.9°F

37 days

Heat Days >95°F

27 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Kentucky and Virginia on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

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New Comparison

You'd spend $4.9K/month more in Arlington, VA

Louisville, KY

Arlington, VA

Louisville, KY

Arlington, VA

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code15 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP15 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Louisville, KY

Arlington, VA

Additional Tax Information

Louisville, KY Tax Rates

Arlington, VA Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Arlington, VA