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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Houston is 14% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,313/mo ↑ 23%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 19%
$62,894/yr ↑ 2%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 2%
$253,400 ≈ Same
Home Value
$251,300 ≈ Same
$1,316/mo ↑ 25%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 20%
2,300,419
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $248/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $2,976/year.

Median household income is $1,440/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Houston or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Lafayette?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $248/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Lafayette?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $1,440/year higher in Houston.
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 Houston or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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.
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