Cost of Living: Palm Bay, FL vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Palm Bay

Florida
91
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Palm Bay is 18% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,487/mo ↑ 40%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 28%
$67,521/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 9%
$248,000 ↓ 1%
Home Value
$251,300 ↑ 1%
$1,203/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 12%
125,273
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palm Bay, FL and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $422/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $5,064/year.

Median household income is $6,067/year higher in Palm Bay. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palm Bay is $248,000 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Palm Bay residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Palm Bay vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Palm Bay or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palm Bay and Lafayette?
Median rent in Palm Bay is $1,487/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $422/month.
Which city has higher income, Palm Bay or Lafayette?
Median household income is $67,521 in Palm Bay and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $6,067/year higher in Palm Bay.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Louisiana?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Palm Bay or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,487/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 Palm Bay details → View Lafayette details →

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