Cost of Living: Tallahassee, FL vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Tallahassee

Florida
87
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Tallahassee is 13% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,238/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 14%
$55,931/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↑ 10%
$276,000 ↑ 10%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 9%
$1,237/mo ↑ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 15%
199,696
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

26.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tallahassee, FL and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 87 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $173/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $2,076/year.

Median household income is $5,523/year higher in Lafayette. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tallahassee is $276,000 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Tallahassee residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tallahassee vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Tallahassee or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 87 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tallahassee and Lafayette?
Median rent in Tallahassee is $1,238/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $173/month.
Which city has higher income, Tallahassee or Lafayette?
Median household income is $55,931 in Tallahassee and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $5,523/year higher in Lafayette.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Louisiana?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Tallahassee or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Tallahassee has a cost index of 87 with median rent of $1,238/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 Tallahassee details → View Lafayette details →

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