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

Irvine

California
256
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Irvine is 232% more expensive than Lafayette.

$2,893/mo ↑ 172%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 63%
$129,647/yr ↑ 111%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 53%
$1,115,400 ↑ 344%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 77%
$2,904/mo ↑ 175%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 64%
308,160
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

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,828/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $21,936/year.

Median household income is $68,193/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Irvine or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Lafayette?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $1,828/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Lafayette?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $68,193/year higher in Irvine.
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 Irvine or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

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