Cost of Living: Lafayette, LA vs Manchester, NH (2026)

Lafayette

Louisiana
77
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Lafayette is 27% cheaper than Manchester.

$1,065/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↑ 38%
$61,454/yr ↓ 21%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↑ 26%
$251,300 ↓ 25%
Home Value
$336,300 ↑ 34%
$1,057/mo ↓ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↑ 46%
121,537
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

4.25%
Income Tax
0%
4.45%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.55%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

20.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lafayette, LA and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 77 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $400/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $4,800/year.

Median household income is $15,961/year higher in Manchester. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lafayette is $251,300 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

New Hampshire has no state income tax, giving Manchester residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lafayette vs Manchester — common questions

Is Lafayette or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lafayette and Manchester?
Median rent in Lafayette is $1,065/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $400/month.
Which city has higher income, Lafayette or Manchester?
Median household income is $61,454 in Lafayette and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $15,961/year higher in Manchester.
How do taxes compare between Louisiana and New Hampshire?
Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to Lafayette or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with median rent of $1,065/mo, while Manchester has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,465/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Lafayette details → View Manchester details →

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