Lafayette, CO vs Rifle, CO

The cost of living difference between Lafayette, CO and Rifle, CO is dramatic. Rifle is 44.7% cheaper than Lafayette, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lafayette has a cost index of 150 while Rifle sits at 104, 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 Lafayette is $2,042/month compared to $1,231/month in Rifle — a 66% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rifle is more affordable at $377,900 median vs $647,600.

Median household income in Lafayette is $110,431 compared to $80,629 in Rifle (+37%). The higher salaries in Lafayette partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lafayette spend roughly 22.2% of their income on rent, more than the 18.3% in Rifle.