12 of the Best Neighborhoods in Louisville, KY

The best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY, have a lot going for them. Not only is it the largest city in Kentucky, but it has a thriving food and sports scene, plenty of job opportunities, and affordable housing. Not to mention it’s where you can find Churchill Downs — home of the world famous Kentucky Derby. Louisville neighborhoods have so much to offer, whether you’re visiting for the derby or moving there for good. 

Better yet, Louisville’s cost of living is lower than the national average — and that includes its housing prices. The national average home value comes in at around $361,300, while Louisville’s average is around $242,900. And rentals are considerably cheaper, as well. The national average for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,750, while Louisville’s average for the same size is around $1,300.

Planning a move to Louisville? Start by getting a quote from PODS.

There are plenty of reasons folks are moving to this prime city in the Bluegrass State, and the variety of Louisville neighborhoods is one of them. When you want to move to a new place, though, it’s essential to ensure you enjoy the community. Whether you want to raise a family, start a new job, or finally retire, you can do it all in one of these best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY. 

Q: What is the nicest area in Louisville? A: So what's the nicest part of Louisville? Some of the nicest areas of Louisville include Bonnycastle, Crescent Hill, and the Highlands.

Best Neighborhoods in Louisville, KY

There are plenty of Louisville neighborhoods worth mentioning, but we narrowed our list down to 12 (in no particular order) that families, young professionals, and retirees alike will love. 

 

Highlands is one of the best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY, specifically if you’re starting out in your career — Niche ranks it #1 among Louisville neighborhoods for young professionals. 

1. Highlands

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,400
• Average home value: $296,000
• Great for: Young professionals, outdoor activities, commute, nightlife

Ranked as one of the best neighborhoods to live in Louisville by Niche, the Highlands area of Louisville is a great choice for anyone looking for an eclectic atmosphere, walkability, and a great nightlife scene. Known as the original “Restaurant Row,” there are plenty of bars and restaurants to explore in the area — The Black Italian and J. Gumbo’s, to name a couple. 

Residents love festivals, like the holiday-themed Bardstown Road Aglow, as well as live music available both indoors and outdoors at local venues. And if you have furry friends, you can take them over to PG&J’s Dog Park Bar. While they run around, you can sip on brews and get to know your neighbors!

Q: What is the hippest neighborhood in Louisville? A: There are so many hip Louisville neighborhoods worth exploring, but Highlands may be one of the hippest. Brimming with bars, restaurants, galleries, live music, and local shops, the highly walkable neighborhood has a little bit of everything.

2. Belknap 

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,075
• Average home value: $399,200
• Great for: Outdoor activities, young professionals, families

If you’re wondering which of the Louisville neighborhoods are great for families, look no further than Belknap. In fact, it earned the second place spot on Niche’s list of the best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY, to raise a family. It’s close enough to commute to downtown but far enough away to have single-family homes and subdivisions.

There are plenty of events that encourage residents to get outside with the kiddos, as well, like the weekly Joe Creason parkrun. With easy access to Warheim Park, though, you don’t have to wait for the fun. 

3. Deer Park

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,075
• Average home value: $326,400
• Great for: Families, young professionals, retirees, outdoor activities, nightlife

Deer Park ranks #1 on Niche’s list of the best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY, to live in. It’s great for families, young professionals, and even retirees alike. It also has a walk score of 80, making it the 10th most walkable neighborhood in the city.

The houses and apartments in this neighborhood are affordable, and the community is welcoming. As a resident, you'll enjoy walking to Shenanigan’s Irish Grille or grabbing a coffee at Sunergos Coffee! And if you want to enjoy the beauty of the area, check out Tyler Park and Cherokee Park.

 

Q: What are the neighborhoods in Louisville, KY? A: There are a lot of nice neighborhoods in Louisville, KY, to choose from, but our favorites include: Highlands Belknap Deer Park Germantown Rockcreek Lexington Road Brownsboro Zorn Shelby Park Bowman Bonnycastle Crescent Hill Clifton Poplar Level

 

4. Germantown

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,550
• Average home value: $167,500
• Great for: Young professionals, nightlife, commute, outdoor activities

Wondering where to live in Louisville? Check out Germantown, one of the best Louisville neighborhoods — and one of the city’s oldest. And not only is this one of the best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY, to live in, but it’s also a vibrant area close to the city — perfect for young professionals and students attending the University of Louisville and looking to explore. Fun fact: This lively and artsy area is one of the best Louisville neighborhoods to go antiquing, as well!

And when you’re ready to explore the restaurants in the area, you must try North of Bourbon and Kaiju. 

 

5. Rockcreek Lexington Road

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,175
• Average home value: $452,500
• Great for: Families, young professionals, outdoor activities, cost of living

Ranked #5 on Niche’s list of the best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY, to buy a house, Rockcreek Lexington Road is a great place for families and young professionals to settle down. You’ll have easy access to beautiful Seneca Park, where you can enjoy walking, biking, and even golfing. Residents also love walking around the soccer and football fields, but there are tennis courts and a playground to take advantage of, as well.

When you need a bite, stop into one of the neighborhood favorites, like Saints Pizza and Pub or The Fishery.

 

6. Brownsboro Zorn

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,350
• Average home value: $249,500
• Great for: Young professionals, families, parks, housing, safety

Close to Crescent Hill and Clifton is Brownsboro Zorn, another one of the best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY. If you’re looking for a range of different architecture styles, including a nice mix of ranch style, mid-century modern, and contemporary designs, you’ll love exploring this burrough.

It’s also one of the best places to live in Louisville, KY, if you’re working in the city, with a few bus stops to make an easy commute on Zorn Avenue. The Louisville VA Medical Center, which is a large employer in this part of Louisville, is also located nearby. 

If you’re looking to grab a bite after hitting the nine at Crescent Hill Golf Course (or just walking around the neighborhood), you’ve got to stop by local favorite Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken.

 

 

Shelby Park is one of the best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY, because there's so much to do, ranging from art galleries and restaurants to a massive park and a butterfly farm. 

 

7. Shelby Park

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,500
• Average home value: $185,200
• Great for: Young professionals, artists, commuting, outdoor activities

This artsy, historic neighborhood was named after Kentucky’s first governor. It’s one of the most convenient Louisville neighborhoods for commuters, which is why young professionals tend to call Shelby Park home. 

And while the area boasts of plenty of cultural attractions, galleries, shops, and eateries, the heart of the community is the 16-acre park. Here, you can enjoy walks, bike rides, and picnics with friends. Nearby, you’ll also find the Idlewild Butterfly Farm and Insectarium, which is always worth exploring!

If you’d rather explore the local eateries, head over to Toasty’s Tavern for a bite or the Canary Club for a cocktail.

 

8. Bowman

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,400
• Average home value: $373,000
• Great for: Families, affordable housing, jobs, safety

If you want a safe Louisville neighborhood to call home, Bowman is a great place to consider. Not only is it quaint, but it’s a welcoming place that’s convenient to the city. And it’s not as densely packed as many Louisville neighborhoods, thanks to Bowman Field — a small planes airfield. Residents like to sit outside and watch the planes fly by or explore nearby Seneca Park. 

You can find plenty of outdoor activities at Big Spring Country Club, along with plenty of places to eat, like Jaggers or Rafferty’s Restaurant and Bar. 

 

Q: What is the richest neighborhood in Louisville? A: Some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Louisville include Glenview, Cherokee Gardens, and Bonnycastle.

9. Bonnycastle

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,075
• Average home value: $414,600
• Great for: Families, young professionals, outdoor activities, commute, nightlife

Ranked by Niche as one of the best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY, Bonnycastle is a small and welcoming community near Louisville neighborhoods like Cherokee Triangle, Deer Park, and Highlands Douglass. Residents have easy access to Cherokee Park, which is full of must-see locations like Baringer Hill, Hogan’s Fountain, and Middle Fork Beargrass Creek. It’s also worth it to check out the archery area and frisbee field.

When you’re done in the park, you can fill up at the Hideaway Saloon or River City Drafthouse.

 

Crescent Hill is considered one of the best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY, thanks to its easy commute and walkability. 

10. Crescent Hill 

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,350
• Average home value: $347,200
• Great for: Young professionals, commute, nightlife, housing

One of the more popular Louisville neighborhoods for professionals who commute to work in the city is Crescent Hill. Families also love living in this area, thanks to its small-town appeal and safe, walkable streets. There’s a mix of older historic houses, apartments, condos, and modern real estate, perfect for anyone to call home. 

Frankfurt Avenue is filled with all kinds of vintage stores, resale shops, cafes, and restaurants. Residents especially love walking or jogging around the Crescent Hill Reservoir & Gatehouse and filling up at local BBQ joints like the Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot, adding to its reputation as one of the best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY.

 

Q: Is Louisville better than Lexington? A: While both are great cities, Lexington has a higher quality of life in different aspects. It’s important to consider yourself when answering this question, though. Lexington has its perks, but Louisville has a larger downtown with more opportunities than Lexington. For instance, if you’re looking for an urban center with career opportunities in finance and tech, Louisville is a better contender.

11. Clifton

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,300
• Average home value: $247,100
• Great for: Young professionals, students, commute, nightlife, walkability

If you’re a young professional or have a job in downtown Louisville, you’re going to appreciate the affordable housing, walkability, and quick commute times that come with living in Clifton. With its close proximity to the University of Louisville, you’ll also find plenty of students in the area.

When you want to get outside, head over to Bingham Park. If you’re in the mood to check out galleries and exhibits, Mellwood Art Center is a great place to peruse. And when you’re ready for happy hour, head over to The Irish Rover or The Silver Dollar for a fun time.

 

12. Poplar Level

• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,200
• Average home value: $254,300
• Great for: Jobs, outdoor activities, cost of living

Rounding out our list of the best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY, is Poplar Level. Residents love the convenient location — especially if they commute to work. You’re close to the Louisville Zoo and Joe Creason Park, which is perfect for a day out with friends or family. 

When you live in Poplar Level, you’ll also have the chance to explore Cyril Allgeier Park, the German American Club, and the Louisville Mega Cavern. Where else can you enjoy ziplining, biking, and tackling a ropes course in a former quarry?

 

When you move with PODS, a portable moving container will be delivered right to your driveway for convenient packing and loading, then picked up and delivered to your new Louisville home

Let PODS Help You Move to One of the Best Neighborhoods in Louisville, KY 

If you’re ready to make the move, PODS is ready to help you get to whichever one of the best neighborhoods in Louisville, KY, you want to call home. A portable storage container will be delivered straight to your current address, so you can load it up on your own time. And when you’re ready, PODS will pick it up and take it to your new home. From there, you can unload it on your schedule or choose to store it. The best part? One month’s storage is included in every move!


Editor’s note: Average rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and ApartmentHomeLiving, and average home values were obtained from Zillow. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.