Lafayette, LA vs Metairie, LA

Lafayette is moderately more affordable than Metairie, with a 9.6% lower cost of living index. Lafayette scores 84 compared to 92 for Metairie, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Metairie can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lafayette is $1,065/month compared to $1,159/month in Metairie — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lafayette is more affordable at $251,300 median vs $308,900.

Median household income in Lafayette is $61,454 compared to $73,256 in Metairie (-16.1%). While Metairie 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, more than the 19% in Metairie.