City comparison
Yes. Louisville's crime index is 209 versus 242 in Orlando, and its violent crime index is 207 versus 241, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Louisville and 2022 FBI data for Orlando.
Louisville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,120 a month versus $1,747 in Orlando.
The cost gap between Louisville and Orlando is the real story here. Louisville comes in 36% cheaper on typical rent ($1,120 vs $1,747), which over a year adds up to $7,524. Median household income runs $66,849 in Louisville and $72,336 in Orlando.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Louisville costs less and Orlando pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Louisville at $1,120 average has pockets that run $920 and others at $1,520: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Louisville and Orlando are 717 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,120 a month in Louisville to $1,747 a month in Orlando, up $627 a month (56%).
Median household income goes from $66,849 in Louisville to $72,336 in Orlando, up $5,487 (8%).
The crime index goes from 209 in Louisville to 242 in Orlando, up 33 points (16%).
The move
Orlando and Louisville are 717 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,747 a month in Orlando to $1,120 a month in Louisville, down $627 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $72,336 in Orlando to $66,849 in Louisville, down $5,487 (8%).
The crime index goes from 242 in Orlando to 209 in Louisville, down 33 points (14%).
Louisville, KY
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Orlando, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Louisville and Orlando? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
Louisville rent is 36% cheaper than Orlando
Louisville
Winner$1,120/mo
Orlando
$1,747/mo
Typical rent runs $1,120 a month in Louisville versus $1,747 in Orlando, so Louisville is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $627/month back in your pocket ($7,524/year). Over five years that's $37,620 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Orlando, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Louisville is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Louisville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Orlando's median income is 8% higher than Louisville
Louisville
$66,849
Orlando
Winner$72,336
Median household income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $66,849 in Louisville, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Orlando (about $5,487 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
14% lower crime
Louisville's crime index is 14% lower than Orlando
Louisville
Winner209 (100 = avg)
Orlando
242 (100 = avg)
Louisville's crime index is 209 versus 242 in Orlando (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 14% lower in Louisville. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Louisville, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Orlando. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
33% more comfortable
Orlando weather is 33% more comfortable than Louisville
Louisville
56°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 75/100
Orlando
Winner71°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Louisville averages about 56°F (65°F highs); Orlando averages about 71°F (78°F highs). Louisville averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Orlando sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Orlando scores 33% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Louisville if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Louisville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 36% cheaper here at about $1,120 a month. Choose Louisville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Louisville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 14% lower than Orlando (209 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 8% higher ($72,336), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,120/month in Louisville versus $1,747 in Orlando. Median income reads $66,849 in Louisville and $72,336 in Orlando, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Louisville rent at $1,120/month is still below Orlando's $1,747, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 38/100 in Louisville and 33/100 in Orlando.
Louisville clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Orlando deserves a serious look only when your $72,336 income offer in Orlando outweighs saving $627/month in Louisville.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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