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City Report · KY

Louisville

Pop. 631,818·21st most expensive in Kentucky·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,394/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.3%
Month-over-Month
+0.4%
vs US Median
-$571
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Louisville · $1,394
More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
54/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Louisville's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,394/mo
Expected by trend
$1,419/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Louisville's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,061
1 BR
$1,159
2 BR
$1,408
3 BR
$1,818
4 BR+
$2,104
Research median
$1,408/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$16,728/yr
At $1,394/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (4.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.3% YoY, +0.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Louisville, KY is majority owner-occupied, 33.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
631,818
Median age
37.7
Renters
39.3%
Age distribution
22.5%
23.7%
25.1%
12.5%
16.1%
Under 1822.5%
18–3423.7%
35–5425.1%
55–6412.5%
65+16.1%
Gender
48.8%
51.2%
Male48.8%
Female51.2%
Race & ethnicity
60.7%
22.4%
White60.7%
Black22.4%
Hispanic9.5%
Asian2.9%
Other4.5%
Education (25+)
27.5%
29%
33.8%
No HS diploma9.7%
HS diploma27.5%
Some college29%
Bachelor's+33.8%
Housing tenure
60.7%
39.3%
Owner60.7%
Renter39.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Louisville, KY has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,037 → $1,394
up 34.4%
Population
630,260 → 631,818
up 0.2%
Renter share
39.8% → 39.3%
-0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
31.6% → 33.8%
+2.2 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in Louisville, KY has increased by $357 per month, settling near $1,394 after starting the period at $1,037. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 31.6% to 33.8%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Louisville

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View Louisville rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Louisville on your salary?

At $1,394/mo, how Louisville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Louisville rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Louisville. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Louisville

About renting in Louisville, KY

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Louisville is $1,394/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,061/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,408/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,159/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,818/mo.

At 23% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Louisville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Louisville an affordable city for renters?

Louisville is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,394/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Louisville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Louisville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,394/mo in Louisville.

Is rent going up or down in Louisville?

Rent in Louisville has increased 4.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Louisville neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Louisville are 40212 ($1,039/mo), 40216 ($1,057/mo), and 40203 ($1,101/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Louisville is $1,394/mo.

How does Louisville rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?

Louisville is middle-of-the-pack for Kentucky for rent, ranking #21 out of 39 tracked cities at $1,394/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Louisville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Louisville ($1,394/mo): New Albany ($1,204/mo), Clarksville ($1,242/mo), Sellersburg ($1,303/mo).

What percentage of Louisville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.3% of Louisville households are renters, while 60.7% are owner-occupied. Louisville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Louisville rent compare to the national average?

Louisville's median rent of $1,394/mo is $571 (29%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kentucky, it ranks #21 out of 39 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,394/mo, rent takes ~23% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Louisville 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4%
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Louisville, KY

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