Cost of Living: Lafayette, LA vs Dearborn, MI (2026)

Lafayette

Louisiana
77
VS

Dearborn

Michigan
79

Lafayette and Dearborn have a similar cost of living.

$1,065/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,264/mo ↑ 19%
$61,454/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$65,192/yr ↑ 6%
$251,300 ↑ 22%
Home Value
$205,900 ↓ 18%
$1,057/mo ↓ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,174/mo ↑ 11%
121,537
Population
107,846

Tax Comparison

4.25%
Income Tax
4.25%
4.45%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.55%
Property Tax
1.38%

Affordability

20.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lafayette, LA and Dearborn, MI, the overall cost of living indices are 77 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $199/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $2,388/year.

Median household income is $3,738/year higher in Dearborn. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lafayette is $251,300 compared to $205,900 in Dearborn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lafayette vs Dearborn — common questions

Is Lafayette or Dearborn cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 79 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lafayette and Dearborn?
Median rent in Lafayette is $1,065/month and in Dearborn it's $1,264/month — a difference of $199/month.
Which city has higher income, Lafayette or Dearborn?
Median household income is $61,454 in Lafayette and $65,192 in Dearborn. Median household income is $3,738/year higher in Dearborn.
How do taxes compare between Louisiana and Michigan?
Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax. Michigan has 4.25% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.38% property tax.
Should I move to Lafayette or Dearborn?
It depends on your priorities. Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with median rent of $1,065/mo, while Dearborn has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,264/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Lafayette details → View Dearborn details →

More Comparisons

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