Cost of Living in St. Matthews, KY

Population 17,491 · Kentucky · Data vintage 2023

102
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

St. Matthews is a smaller Kentucky community of around 17000 residents, where median household incomes of $80,716 and housing costs ($326,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

St. Matthews sits roughly 6 miles north of Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 47% higher than Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance)'s $222,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 107
Rent 95

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in St. Matthews

The median home value in St. Matthews is $325,700 — 7% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,253/month, 5% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $80,716/year is 8% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. Kentucky's top state income tax rate is 4.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. The climate averages highs of 67.2°F and lows of 48.3°F. Overall, St. Matthews has a cost of living index of 102 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$325,700
7% above avg
Median Rent
$1,253/mo
5% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$636
1 BR
$721
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,187
4 BR
$1,336
Owner-occupied 52.9%
Renter-occupied 47.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,253
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,867/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
21.3 min
21% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.8%
Carpooled
4.7%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
0.8%
Work from home
16.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.0%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$80,716
8% above avg
Per Capita Income
$53,945
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
17% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Labor Force Participation
70.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 30.4%
Graduate degree 26.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.9
Male median age 37
Female median age 39.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
67.2°F
Avg Low
48.3°F
Annual Precip
48.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 434857697785888781695746
Low °F 273038485766696860483831
Precip" 3.283.274.374.695.164.684.563.533.613.653.443.88

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 55 — Moderate
33.7%
Good air days/yr
171
Max AQI recorded
269
PM2.5 days
94
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in St. Matthews, KY?

St. Matthews has a cost index of 102 (100 = national average). It is 2% above the national average.

What is average rent in St. Matthews, KY?

The median gross rent in St. Matthews is $1,253 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in St. Matthews?

The median home value in St. Matthews is $325,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in St. Matthews?

The median household income in St. Matthews is $80,716 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in St. Matthews, KY?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in St. Matthews is 6.0%. The Kentucky state income tax top rate is 4.0%.

Is St. Matthews, KY affordable?

St. Matthews is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 102 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in St. Matthews?

St. Matthews has average high temperatures of 67.2°F and average lows of 48.3°F. Annual precipitation is 48.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

St. Matthews at a Glance

Population
17,491
Median Income
$80,716
Home Value
$325,700
Median Rent
$1,253/mo
Unemployment
4.0%
Avg High Temp
67.2°F
Sales Tax
6.0%
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