Cost of Living: Fresno, CA vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Fresno

California
101
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Fresno is 31% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,324/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 20%
$66,804/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 8%
$348,500 ↑ 39%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 28%
$1,391/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 24%
543,615
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

23.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fresno, CA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 101 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $259/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $3,108/year.

Median household income is $5,350/year higher in Fresno. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fresno is $348,500 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Louisiana has a lower income tax rate, making Lafayette slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresno vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Fresno or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 101 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fresno and Lafayette?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $259/month.
Which city has higher income, Fresno or Lafayette?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $5,350/year higher in Fresno.
How do taxes compare between California and Louisiana?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Fresno or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Fresno has a cost index of 101 with median rent of $1,324/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 Fresno details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

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