F
63%
Overall NAT. AVG.
12%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
198%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Louisville Colorado National
Cost of living163111100
Goods & Services112104100
Groceries102101100
Health care119106100
Housing298136100
Transportation9897100
Utilities8788100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Louisville, CO

Understanding the cost of living in Louisville can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Louisville cost of living index is 163, which is 63% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Louisville may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Louisville falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Louisville, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 197.9% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Everyday goods and services make up 33% of the cost of living index and include things like clothing, personal hygiene products and entertainment which are a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Unfortunately, Louisville goods and services are 12% more expensive than the national average, leaving you with less money at the end of the month.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Louisville?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 5 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Louisville. The results indicated that 40% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 60% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Louisville Affordable?

Wondering if Louisville is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Louisville, for example, the median home price is 249.2% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 78.2% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Louisville boasting a median household income of $169,902, which is 108.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Louisville?

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Louisville, the housing index comes in at 197.9% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Louisville, the utilities index stands at 13% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Louisville displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Louisville is 47% higher than the Colorado average
  • The cost of living in Louisville is 63% higher than the national average
  • Louisville housing is 198% higher than the national average
  • Colorado general sales tax is 43% lower than the national average
  • Colorado state income tax is 69% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Louisville

See all the best places to live around Louisville

Compare Louisville, CO Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$212,742$17,729$4,964$6,383
      Renters$106,152$8,846$2,477$3,185
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Louisville, CO, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Louisville, homeowners have a median income of $212,742. Using that number, a maximum of $4,964 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $106,152, which means there is a maximum of $2,477 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Colorado Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Colorado 2.9% 10%

      Colorado Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Colorado 4.4% 4.4%

      Goods & Services

      Item Louisville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $31.43$27.6213.8%
      Beauty Salon $53.27$51.114.2%
      Toothpaste $3.99$4.092.5%
      Shampoo $1.44$1.546.6%
      Movie $16.84$12.8830.8%
      Yoga $23.13$19.6617.6%

      Groceries

      Item Louisville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $8.33$7.708.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.55$1.666.8%
      Milk $4.64$4.732.0%
      Potatoes $5.52$5.265.0%
      Pizza $14.46$12.7613.3%
      Beer $10.69$10.551.3%

      Health Care

      Item Louisville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $177.17$140.0626.5%
      Doctor $138.91$153.829.7%
      Dentist $148.76$123.1520.8%
      Ibuprofen $11.89$11.731.3%
      Lipitor $34.26$23.6145.1%

      Housing

      Item Louisville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $1,140,599.00$326,622.00249.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,077.56$2,480.2524.1%
      Apartment Rent $2,573.00$1,444.0078.2%

      Transportation

      Item Louisville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.04$3.060.7%
      Tire Balancing $62.86$65.213.6%

      Utilities

      Item Louisville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $172.42$220.1221.7%
      Phone $198.90$195.711.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Eldorado Springs, CO3321055.0%
      Gold Hill, CO2011055.0%
      Crisman, CO531055.0%
      Leyner, CO01055.0%
      Lakeside, CO68911.4%
      Louisville, CO19,76716362.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Erlanger, KY19,751955.4%
      Hermosa Beach, CA19,749292191.9%
      North Liberty, IA19,7491043.6%
      Brigham City, UT19,785972.7%
      Mineola, NY19,74815959.0%
      Louisville, CO19,76716362.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.