Cost of Living: Fort Worth, TX vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Fort Worth is 26% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,412/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 25%
$76,602/yr ↑ 25%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 20%
$277,300 ↑ 10%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 9%
$1,489/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 29%
941,311
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $347/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $4,164/year.

Median household income is $15,148/year higher in Fort Worth. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 97 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Lafayette?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $347/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Lafayette?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $15,148/year higher in Fort Worth.
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 Fort Worth or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/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 Worth details → View Lafayette details →

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