Lafayette, CO vs Steamboat Springs, CO

Lafayette is moderately more affordable than Steamboat Springs, with a 9% lower cost of living index. Lafayette scores 150 compared to 165 for Steamboat Springs, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Steamboat Springs can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lafayette is $2,042/month compared to $1,909/month in Steamboat Springs — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Steamboat Springs has cheaper rent, Lafayette actually has lower median home values ($647,600 vs $874,400).

Median household income in Lafayette is $110,431 compared to $100,156 in Steamboat Springs (+10.3%). Lafayette offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lafayette spend roughly 22.2% of their income on rent, less than the 22.9% in Steamboat Springs.