CostIndexUSA

Louisville, KY vs Pasadena, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKY
Louisville
93.1
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
CA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Louisville is significantly cheaper than Pasadena — 22.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Louisville, you would need $97,600 in Pasadena. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+116.8%
Louisville
78.6
Pasadena
170.4
🛒 Groceries+10.8%
Louisville
96.2
Pasadena
106.6
🚗 Transportation+7.9%
Louisville
101.6
Pasadena
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+7.7%
Louisville
92
Pasadena
99.1
Utilities+111.5%
Louisville
75
Pasadena
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Louisville to see what you'd need to earn in Pasadena to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Pasadena, CA
$97,600
$17,600 more needed in Pasadena

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 93.1) = salary × 1.2202. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Louisville, KY

Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
78.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Pasadena, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Pasadena has 116.8% higher housing costs compared to Louisville.

Income & Job Market

Louisville, KY

Median Household Income
$68,900
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
633,045
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsEducationAgriculture

Pasadena, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
141,029
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareEntertainmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Louisville, KY
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.