City Comparison

Louisville vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Louisville

Kentucky
91
Below Average
$210,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$52,238
Median Income

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

15.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.2%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Louisville has equivalent purchasing power to $65,110 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
77
Louisville
49
Montgomery
Groceries
96
Louisville
99
Montgomery
Utilities
91
Louisville
115
Montgomery
Transportation
100
Louisville
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
93
Louisville
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Louisville has the same purchasing power as $65,110 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $86,392 in Louisville.

Living in Louisville vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Louisville's housing index of 77 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $162,000. The $48,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Louisville compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Louisville and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Louisville vs $470/month in Montgomery. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Louisville and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Louisville vs $460 in Montgomery. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Louisville and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,238 in Louisville and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,404 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,219/month to housing in Louisville vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Louisville, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Louisville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,110 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Louisville's housing index is 77 with median homes at $210,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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