Cost of Living: Salt Lake City, UT vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Salt Lake City

Utah
117
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Salt Lake City is 52% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,343/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 21%
$74,925/yr ↑ 22%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 18%
$495,700 ↑ 97%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 49%
$1,394/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 24%
203,888
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

4.65%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.1%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.58%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

21.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Salt Lake City, UT and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 117 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $278/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $3,336/year.

Median household income is $13,471/year higher in Salt Lake City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Salt Lake City is $495,700 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Salt Lake City vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Salt Lake City or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 117 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Salt Lake City and Lafayette?
Median rent in Salt Lake City is $1,343/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $278/month.
Which city has higher income, Salt Lake City or Lafayette?
Median household income is $74,925 in Salt Lake City and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $13,471/year higher in Salt Lake City.
How do taxes compare between Utah and Louisiana?
Utah has 4.65% income tax, 6.1% sales tax, and 0.58% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Salt Lake City or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Salt Lake City has a cost index of 117 with median rent of $1,343/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 Salt Lake City details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Salt Lake City and Lafayette

Salt Lake City vs. Columbus Salt Lake City vs. Little Rock Salt Lake City vs. Worcester Salt Lake City vs. McKinney Salt Lake City vs. Cape Coral Salt Lake City vs. Augusta Lafayette vs. Rochester Lafayette vs. Ann Arbor Lafayette vs. Independence Lafayette vs. Berkeley Lafayette vs. College Station Lafayette vs. Fairfield