Louisville, KYBest Places To Live in the U.S. in 2023
It's not just bourbon and baseball in Louisville. This Southern city is a haven for artists, known for its iconic horse racing culture, and has world-class dining, friendly locals and stunning parks. Louisville is a dynamic and inclusive place to call home.
Louisville, KY, Is One of the Best Cities To Live in America
Midwest sensibilities and Southern hospitality meld in Louisville, KY, which is well-known for its fantastic bourbon, hosting the Kentucky Derby and creating hard-hitting baseball bats — Louisville Sluggers.
As one of the best places to live in the U.S., Louisville also has a strong economy, with companies like Yum Brands, UPS, Humana, Texas Roadhouse, and more headquartered in the business-friendly region. Plus, did you know that Louisville has the largest concentration of health care providers in the health and aging innovation sector?
Diversity is valued in the region, with initiatives like the Minority Business Incubator and Power to Prosper Minority Business Accelerator helping entrepreneurs launch and scale. And the city fosters an inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
New residents, of course, can get a solid introduction to life in Louisville by imbibing along the Urban Bourbon Trail. Other rites of passage include a sunset cruise aboard the Belle of Louisville, a rare Mississippi River-style steamboat, and a membership to the Speed Art Museum, which has an impressive collection of Black and Native American works, plus a cinema.
Louisville, KY Quality of Life LivScore
Louisville, KY Top Categories
Housing & Cost of Living
Economy
Transportation
Louisville ranks highest for housing, economy and transportation.
Weather and Outdoor Activities in Louisville, KY
Sweltering hot summers call for icy mint juleps; during the cold winter months, a nip of bourbon will warm you right up. Louisville gets all four seasons, and spring is special in Horse Country when the foals make their first runs. The average highs and lows are 88°F and 68°F (summer) and 44°F and 28°F (winter).
The average annual snowfall in Louisville is relatively low at just 13 inches. January and February are the months when snowfall is most likely.
The average annual rainfall in Louisville is 45 inches. Heavy rain typically occurs in the spring and summer months.
Louisville averages 198 sunny days a year.
Take a stroll or join a yoga class at Louisville Waterfront Park. Or make repeat visits to E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, a 554-acre park with an outdoor public archery range, a vast swimming pool and splash park, a shaded nature trail, and a Supercross BMX track.
Louisville Weather
198 days
Average Annual Sun
45 inches
Average Annual Rain
13 inches
Average Annual Snow
Things To Do in Louisville, KY
Go ziplining or tackle a subterranean adventure course at Louisville Mega Cavern. Then, cap off the day and catch a sunset on the Big Four Bridge, a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Ohio River connecting Louisville and Jeffersonville, IN. At night, it twinkles with LED lights and can be programmed to have a rainbow effect.
Shop locally and sustainably at hey tiger. This locally loved shop is a vintage goldmine.
Rosettes is a little jewel box inside the new Hotel Genevieve inspired by Parisian cafes.
Margaritas and bourbon peach punches are both on tap during happy hour at Agave & Rye.
The Local and State Economy in Louisville, KY
Louisville’s top industries are logistics and transportation, manufacturing and tourism and hospitality. United Postal Service, Humana and YUM! Brands (the umbrella company of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell) are among Louisville’s biggest employers.
In 2023, the sales tax rate in Louisville is 6%. Louisville has one of the country’s lowest combined state and local sales tax rates.
Yes, Kentucky has a state income tax.
Louisville is home to several major health care providers and hospitals, including the University of Louisville Hospital and U of L Health-Jewish Hospital, which are two of the highest-ranking hospitals in Kentucky. Additionally, Norton Healthcare and Baptist Health both have hospitals and medical facilities in the area.
There are several colleges and universities in Louisville, including the University of Louisville and Bellarmine University.
Quick Facts About Louisville, KY
- Median Household Income
- $68,238
- Median Home Value
- $230,565
- Average State Property Tax
- $1,320
- Total Population
- 384,953
- Median Rent/Mo.
- $832
- Average Commute
- 20.87 minutes
Louisville’s strong economy and emphasis on health care help make it one of the best places to live in the U.S. Learn even more about what makes Louisville a great community and discover how the city welcomes newcomers. Another good resource as you consider a move: The Ultimate Guide To Finding Your Best Place To Live.
