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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

San Francisco is 247% more expensive than Lafayette.

$2,419/mo ↑ 127%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 56%
$141,446/yr ↑ 130%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 57%
$1,380,500 ↑ 449%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 82%
$2,620/mo ↑ 148%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 60%
836,321
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

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,354/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $16,248/year.

Median household income is $79,992/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Lafayette — common questions

Is San Francisco or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Lafayette?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $1,354/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Lafayette?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $79,992/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Lafayette details →

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