City Comparison

Louisville vs Surprise

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Louisville

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

Surprise

Arizona
103
Average
$419,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$85,500
Median Income

The Verdict

11.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 11.7%, with Louisville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Louisville has equivalent purchasing power to $84,890 in Surprise.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Louisville
105
Surprise
Groceries
96
Louisville
100
Surprise
Utilities
91
Louisville
102
Surprise
Transportation
100
Louisville
106
Surprise
Healthcare
93
Louisville
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Louisville has the same purchasing power as $84,890 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $66,262 in Louisville.

Living in Louisville vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Louisville's housing index of 77 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $419,000. The $209,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,584 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Louisville compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Louisville and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Louisville vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Louisville vs $408 in Surprise. 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 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,238 in Louisville and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,404 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Louisville, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/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

Louisville is 11.7% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Louisville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,890 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
Louisville's housing index is 77 with median homes at $210,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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