Lafayette, LA vs Lake Charles, LA

Lafayette, LA and Lake Charles, LA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Lafayette scores 84 while Lake Charles scores 80 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lafayette is $1,065/month compared to $1,090/month in Lake Charles — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lafayette has cheaper rent, Lake Charles actually has lower median home values ($204,000 vs $251,300).

Median household income in Lafayette is $61,454 compared to $56,864 in Lake Charles (+8.1%). While Lafayette is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lafayette spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, less than the 23% in Lake Charles.