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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

El Paso is 13% cheaper than Lafayette.

$1,041/mo ↓ 2%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↑ 2%
$58,734/yr ↓ 4%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↑ 5%
$171,700 ↓ 32%
Home Value
$251,300 ↑ 46%
$1,044/mo ↓ 1%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↑ 1%
678,147
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $2,720/year higher in Lafayette. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Lafayette — common questions

Is El Paso or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 77 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Lafayette?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $24/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Lafayette?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $2,720/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 El Paso or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Lafayette

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