Moving from Chicago to Louisville?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Chicago lifestyle in Louisville, you'd need to earn:
$65,120/year
▼ $9,880 less than you make now
| Category | Chicago | Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $65,120 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$5,940 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,037 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$944 |
| State Tax | -$3,713 | -$2,605 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,436 | $51,593 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is -10.2% in Louisville
- Housing is -29.8% in Louisville
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd save $713/year in taxes in Louisville
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~269 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: Chicago to Louisville
| Your Chicago Salary | Louisville Equivalent | Difference | Louisville Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $35,213 | -$4,787 | $28,924 |
| $50,000 | $44,066 | -$5,934 | $35,683 |
| $60,000 | $52,978 | -$7,022 | $42,487 |
| $75,000 | $65,120 | -$9,880 | $51,593 |
| $100,000 | $87,252 | -$12,748 | $66,278 |
| $150,000 | $131,095 | -$18,905 | $95,113 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Chicago and Louisville Compare
Housing (30% cheaper in Louisville)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Louisville rents for $1,050/month compared to $1,975/month in Chicago. Median home prices: $280,000 in Louisville vs $374,000 in Chicago.
Taxes
Illinois has a flat 5.0% state income tax. Kentucky has a flat 4.0% state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Louisville would save you about $713/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Louisville's overall cost of living is 10.2% lower than Chicago, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Chicago: 103.6, Louisville: 93.1.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Chicago to Louisville move. Average cost: $2,000–$5,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Louisville
Average 1BR rent in Louisville: $1,050/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
Compare Savings Rates →