Cost of Living: Honolulu, HI vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Honolulu

Hawaii
175
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Honolulu is 127% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,783/mo ↑ 67%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 40%
$85,428/yr ↑ 39%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 28%
$834,100 ↑ 232%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 70%
$1,809/mo ↑ 71%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 42%
346,323
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

11.0%
Income Tax
4.25%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.32%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

25.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Honolulu, HI and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 175 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $718/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $8,616/year.

Median household income is $23,974/year higher in Honolulu. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Honolulu is $834,100 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Honolulu vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Honolulu or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Honolulu and Lafayette?
Median rent in Honolulu is $1,783/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $718/month.
Which city has higher income, Honolulu or Lafayette?
Median household income is $85,428 in Honolulu and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $23,974/year higher in Honolulu.
How do taxes compare between Hawaii and Louisiana?
Hawaii has 11.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.32% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Honolulu or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Honolulu has a cost index of 175 with median rent of $1,783/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 Honolulu details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

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Honolulu vs. Cleveland Honolulu vs. Anaheim Honolulu vs. New Orleans Honolulu vs. Henderson Honolulu vs. Aurora Honolulu vs. Lexington Lafayette vs. Rochester Lafayette vs. Ann Arbor Lafayette vs. Independence Lafayette vs. Berkeley Lafayette vs. College Station Lafayette vs. Fairfield