Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

St. Louis is 14% cheaper than Lafayette.

$978/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↑ 9%
$55,279/yr ↓ 10%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↑ 11%
$185,100 ↓ 26%
Home Value
$251,300 ↑ 36%
$1,013/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↑ 4%
293,109
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.25%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $87/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $1,044/year.

Median household income is $6,175/year higher in Lafayette. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Lafayette — common questions

Is St. Louis or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 77 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Lafayette?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $87/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Lafayette?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $6,175/year higher in Lafayette.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Louisiana?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/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 St. Louis details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Lafayette

St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage Lafayette vs. Rochester Lafayette vs. Ann Arbor Lafayette vs. Independence Lafayette vs. Berkeley Lafayette vs. College Station Lafayette vs. Fairfield