Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Fort Lauderdale is 71% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,776/mo ↑ 67%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 40%
$79,935/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 23%
$455,600 ↑ 81%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 45%
$1,778/mo ↑ 68%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 41%
183,032
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $711/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $8,532/year.

Median household income is $18,481/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Lafayette?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $711/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Lafayette?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $18,481/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Louisiana?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/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 Fort Lauderdale details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

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