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

College Station

Texas

Lafayette

Louisiana

College Station is 14% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,168/mo ↑ 10%

Median Rent

$1,065/mo ↓ 9%

$51,776/yr ↓ 16%

Median Income

$61,454/yr ↑ 19%

$326,500 ↑ 30%

Home Value

$251,300 ↓ 23%

$1,251/mo ↑ 18%

Owner Costs

$1,057/mo ↓ 16%

122,280

Population

121,537

Tax Comparison

Income Tax

4.25%

6.25%

Sales Tax

4.45%

1.6%

Property Tax

0.55%

Affordability

27.1%

rent-to-income

Affordability

20.8%

rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing College Station, TX and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $103/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $1,236/year.

Median household income is $9,678/year higher in Lafayette. Home values also differ significantly — the median in College Station is $326,500 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

College Station vs Lafayette — common questions

Is College Station or Lafayette cheaper to live in?

Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 91 (US average = 100).

What is the rent difference between College Station and Lafayette?

Median rent in College Station is $1,168/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $103/month.

Which city has higher income, College Station or Lafayette?

Median household income is $51,776 in College Station and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $9,678/year higher in Lafayette.

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 College Station or Lafayette?

It depends on your priorities. College Station has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,168/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.