Cost of Living: Riverside, CA vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Riverside

California
144
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Riverside is 87% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,812/mo ↑ 70%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 41%
$88,575/yr ↑ 44%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 31%
$542,100 ↑ 116%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 54%
$1,880/mo ↑ 78%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 44%
316,241
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Riverside, CA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 144 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $747/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $8,964/year.

Median household income is $27,121/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Riverside is $542,100 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Riverside vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Riverside or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Riverside and Lafayette?
Median rent in Riverside is $1,812/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $747/month.
Which city has higher income, Riverside or Lafayette?
Median household income is $88,575 in Riverside and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $27,121/year higher in Riverside.
How do taxes compare between California and Louisiana?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Riverside or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Riverside has a cost index of 144 with median rent of $1,812/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 Riverside details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Riverside and Lafayette

Riverside vs. Corpus Christi Riverside vs. Orlando Riverside vs. Stockton Riverside vs. Santa Ana Riverside vs. Lexington Riverside vs. Cincinnati Lafayette vs. Rochester Lafayette vs. Ann Arbor Lafayette vs. Independence Lafayette vs. Berkeley Lafayette vs. College Station Lafayette vs. Fairfield