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

Lafayette

Louisiana
77
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Lafayette is 45% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$1,065/mo ↓ 41%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 68%
$61,454/yr ↓ 57%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 130%
$251,300 ↓ 48%
Home Value
$479,400 ↑ 91%
$1,057/mo ↓ 47%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 90%
121,537
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lafayette, LA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 77 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $727/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $8,724/year.

Median household income is $79,899/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lafayette is $251,300 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Lafayette vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Lafayette or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lafayette and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Lafayette is $1,065/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $727/month.
Which city has higher income, Lafayette or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $61,454 in Lafayette and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $79,899/year higher in The Woodlands.
How do taxes compare between Louisiana and Texas?
Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Lafayette or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with median rent of $1,065/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Lafayette details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Lafayette and The Woodlands

Lafayette vs. Rochester Lafayette vs. Ann Arbor Lafayette vs. Independence Lafayette vs. Berkeley Lafayette vs. College Station Lafayette vs. Fairfield The Woodlands vs. Lakeland The Woodlands vs. Evansville The Woodlands vs. Clearwater The Woodlands vs. Brandon The Woodlands vs. North Charleston The Woodlands vs. West Jordan