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

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Santa Rosa is 123% more expensive than Lafayette.

$2,084/mo ↑ 96%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 49%
$97,410/yr ↑ 59%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 37%
$685,000 ↑ 173%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 63%
$2,130/mo ↑ 102%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 50%
177,216
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

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,019/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $12,228/year.

Median household income is $35,956/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Santa Rosa or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and Lafayette?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $1,019/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or Lafayette?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $35,956/year higher in Santa Rosa.
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 Santa Rosa or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/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 Santa Rosa details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Rosa and Lafayette

Santa Rosa vs. Elk Grove Santa Rosa vs. Cary Santa Rosa vs. Eugene Santa Rosa vs. Salem Santa Rosa vs. Ontario Santa Rosa vs. Rancho Cucamonga Lafayette vs. Rochester Lafayette vs. Ann Arbor Lafayette vs. Independence Lafayette vs. Berkeley Lafayette vs. College Station Lafayette vs. Fairfield