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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

San Jose is 230% more expensive than Lafayette.

$2,617/mo ↑ 146%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 59%
$141,565/yr ↑ 130%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 57%
$1,187,800 ↑ 373%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 79%
$2,775/mo ↑ 163%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 62%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,552/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $18,624/year.

Median household income is $80,111/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Lafayette — common questions

Is San Jose or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Lafayette?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $1,552/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Lafayette?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $80,111/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Lafayette details →

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