Lexington edges Louisville in renter rankings, but Louisville leads on housing

Lexington ranks 72nd and Louisville 82nd in RentCafe’s 2026 Best Cities for Renters report. Lexington excels in local economy and quality of life, with job growth, lower unemployment, higher education levels, better schools, air quality, and shorter commutes. Louisville leads in housing and cost of living, offering lower costs, larger and newer apartments, and better proximity to amenities. Both cities have high apartment occupancy and limited vacancies.