Cost of Living: Bellevue, WA vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Bellevue

Washington
250
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Bellevue is 225% more expensive than Lafayette.

$2,505/mo ↑ 135%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 57%
$161,300/yr ↑ 162%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 62%
$1,203,100 ↑ 379%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 79%
$2,586/mo ↑ 145%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 59%
151,199
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

18.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Bellevue, WA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 250 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,440/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $17,280/year.

Median household income is $99,846/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Bellevue is $1,203,100 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Bellevue vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Bellevue or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Bellevue and Lafayette?
Median rent in Bellevue is $2,505/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $1,440/month.
Which city has higher income, Bellevue or Lafayette?
Median household income is $161,300 in Bellevue and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $99,846/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Louisiana?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Bellevue or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with median rent of $2,505/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 Bellevue details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Bellevue and Lafayette

Bellevue vs. Charleston Bellevue vs. Escondido Bellevue vs. Roseville Bellevue vs. Jackson Bellevue vs. Hollywood Bellevue vs. Joliet Lafayette vs. Rochester Lafayette vs. Ann Arbor Lafayette vs. Independence Lafayette vs. Berkeley Lafayette vs. College Station Lafayette vs. Fairfield