Cost of Living: Vancouver, WA vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Vancouver

Washington
123
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Vancouver is 60% more expensive than Lafayette.

$1,632/mo ↑ 53%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↓ 35%
$78,156/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 21%
$440,300 ↑ 75%
Home Value
$251,300 ↓ 43%
$1,607/mo ↑ 52%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 34%
192,696
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Vancouver, WA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 123 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $567/month cheaper in Lafayette, saving renters about $6,804/year.

Median household income is $16,702/year higher in Vancouver. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Vancouver is $440,300 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Vancouver vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Vancouver or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lafayette is cheaper to live in with an index of 77 compared to 123 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Vancouver and Lafayette?
Median rent in Vancouver is $1,632/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $567/month.
Which city has higher income, Vancouver or Lafayette?
Median household income is $78,156 in Vancouver and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $16,702/year higher in Vancouver.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Louisiana?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Vancouver or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Vancouver has a cost index of 123 with median rent of $1,632/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 Vancouver details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

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