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Lafayette, LA

Cost of living in Lafayette, Louisiana

Lafayette Parish, LA

Part of the Lafayette Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,944/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 245,075 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $930 32%
Federal tax $548 19%
Healthcare $480 16%
Transport $320 11%
Groceries $315 11%
Energy $186 6%
State tax $110 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Lafayette

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$740
per month
1 bedroom
$930
per month
2 bedroom
$1,052
per month
3 bedroom
$1,322
per month
4 bedroom
$1,736
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Lafayette

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$67,660
per year
Individual earnings
$43,576
per year
Per capita
$39,092
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Lafayette

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$234,200
Annual property tax
$1,329

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Lafayette

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$152
per month · 12.7¢/kWh
Natural gas
$34
per month
Annual total
$2,232
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Lafayette

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Lafayette

State and local tax rates for Louisiana.

State income tax
4.3%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.5%
Combined sales tax
9.6%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Lafayette

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.8 min
Drive alone
81.8%
Public transit
0.6%
Work from home
9.1%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Lafayette

What it costs to live in Lafayette each month.

Single person
$2,944
per month
  • Rent $930
  • Energy $186
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $548
  • State tax $110
Couple
$4,114
per month
  • Rent $1,052
  • Energy $223
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $777
  • State tax $191
Family
$6,506
per month
  • Rent $1,322
  • Energy $279
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $777
  • State tax $191

Frequently asked questions about Lafayette

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Lafayette?

In Lafayette, Louisiana, a one-bedroom apartment averages $930 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,052 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,322 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Lafayette?

In Lafayette, Louisiana, the average household income is $67,660 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $43,576 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Lafayette?

The estimated cost of living in Lafayette, Louisiana is approximately $2,944 per month for a single person, $4,114 for a couple, $6,506 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Lafayette?

The combined sales tax rate in Lafayette, Louisiana is 9.55%, which includes the Louisiana state rate of 4.45% plus an average local rate of 5.10%.

Is Lafayette an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Lafayette, Louisiana would need approximately $2,944 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $67,660 per year ($5,638 per month). Lafayette has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Lafayette?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Lafayette, Louisiana is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Lafayette?

The average home value in Lafayette, Louisiana is $234,200, with average annual property taxes of $1,329, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Lafayette compare to other areas?

You can compare Lafayette, Louisiana with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Lafayette is in the Lafayette, LA metro area.

Other counties in Louisiana

Browse the full list of counties in Louisiana, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Louisiana

Compare Lafayette with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources