Rows tagged local are specific to St. Matthews (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Louisville, KY. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district Jefferson County · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
93.2
metro-area
#75 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
94.3
metro-area
#46 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.30
metro-area
#74 of 200 metros
Median household income
$78,928
local
#1827 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$50,614
local
#1151 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
39.3 years
metro-area
#120 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
32.1%
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
6.7%
metro-area
#125 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
68.6%
metro-area
#63 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.68%
local
#852 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-2.7%
local
#2797 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$307,400
local
#1452 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.9×
local
#1623 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+3.0%
metro-area
#47 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$162
local
#1362 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,900 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,198
local
#966 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
3,000
Median days on market
35
metro-area
#169 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.6%
state
#68 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.00%
state
#16 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
4.00%
Capital gains tax
4.00%
state
#76 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.84%
local
#1216 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$2,591
local
#1027 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
74.1 years
metro-area
#169 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,300
state
#17 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
6.3%
metro-area
#42 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
70
metro-area
#126 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$9,000
state
#25 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$120
state
#101 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.44% of value (~$403/yr)
state
#159 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
19 min
local
#188 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
76.0%
metro-area
#112 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
31.3%
metro-area
#97 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
15.0¢/kWh
state
#38 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$135
state
#38 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.10/gal
state
#50 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$70
state
#98 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$81
state
#48 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,200
state
#129 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,200
state
#152 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
83.0 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#49 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$250
state
#141 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
51
metro-area
#138 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,300
metro-area
#107 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
95%
state
#27 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,400
metro-area
#108 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
26
metro-area
#96 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
88°F
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
26°F
metro-area
#119 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
48.3"
metro-area
#148 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
13.4"
metro-area
#115 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
56%
metro-area
#132 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
260
state
#15 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,700
state
#47 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.