Austin, TX vs Lafayette, IN

The cost of living difference between Austin, TX and Lafayette, IN is dramatic. Lafayette is 65.6% cheaper than Austin, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Austin has a cost index of 127 while Lafayette sits at 76, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Austin is $1,655/month compared to $1,039/month in Lafayette — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lafayette is more affordable at $157,600 median vs $512,700.

Median household income in Austin is $91,461 compared to $52,946 in Lafayette (+72.7%). While Austin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Austin spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, less than the 23.5% in Lafayette.