Cost of Living: Cleveland, OH vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Cleveland

Ohio
51
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Cleveland is 34% cheaper than Lafayette.

$894/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↑ 19%
$39,187/yr ↓ 36%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↑ 57%
$94,100 ↓ 63%
Home Value
$251,300 ↑ 167%
$866/mo ↓ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↑ 22%
367,523
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
4.25%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
1.53%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

27.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cleveland, OH and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 51 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $171/month cheaper in Cleveland, saving renters about $2,052/year.

Median household income is $22,267/year higher in Lafayette. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cleveland is $94,100 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Ohio has a lower income tax rate, making Cleveland slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Cleveland or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cleveland is cheaper to live in with an index of 51 compared to 77 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cleveland and Lafayette?
Median rent in Cleveland is $894/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $171/month.
Which city has higher income, Cleveland or Lafayette?
Median household income is $39,187 in Cleveland and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $22,267/year higher in Lafayette.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Louisiana?
Ohio has 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Cleveland or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Cleveland has a cost index of 51 with median rent of $894/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.
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