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

McKinney

Texas
138
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

McKinney is 79% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,841/mo ↑ 73%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 42%
$120,273/yr ↑ 96%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 49%
$439,500 ↑ 75%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 43%
$2,101/mo ↑ 99%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 50%
202,314
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

18.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing McKinney, TX and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 138 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $776/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $9,312/year.

Median household income is $58,819/year higher in McKinney. Home values also differ significantly — the median in McKinney is $439,500 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

McKinney vs Lafayette — common questions

Is McKinney or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 138 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between McKinney and Lafayette?
Median rent in McKinney is $1,841/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $776/month.
Which city has higher income, McKinney or Lafayette?
Median household income is $120,273 in McKinney and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $58,819/year higher in McKinney.
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 McKinney or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. McKinney has a cost index of 138 with median rent of $1,841/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 McKinney details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

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