Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Austin is 74% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,655/mo ↑ 55%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 36%
$91,461/yr ↑ 49%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 33%
$512,700 ↑ 104%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 51%
$1,747/mo ↑ 65%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 39%
967,862
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $590/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $7,080/year.

Median household income is $30,007/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Austin or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Lafayette?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $590/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Lafayette?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $30,007/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Louisiana?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Lafayette details →

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