Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

New York is 116% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,779/mo ↑ 67%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 40%
$79,713/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 23%
$751,700 ↑ 199%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 67%
$1,837/mo ↑ 74%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 42%
8,516,202
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
4.25%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
1.62%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $714/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $8,568/year.

Median household income is $18,259/year higher in New York. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs Lafayette — common questions

Is New York or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Lafayette?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $714/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Lafayette?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $18,259/year higher in New York.
How do taxes compare between New York and Louisiana?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/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 New York details → View Lafayette details →

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