Lafayette, OR vs Rockaway Beach, OR

Lafayette, OR and Rockaway Beach, OR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Lafayette scores 103 while Rockaway Beach scores 104 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 $1,144/month compared to $1,308/month in Rockaway Beach — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lafayette has cheaper rent, Rockaway Beach actually has lower median home values ($341,100 vs $383,000).

Median household income in Lafayette is $96,419 compared to $55,188 in Rockaway Beach (+74.7%). 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 14.2% of their income on rent, less than the 28.4% in Rockaway Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.9°F vs 51.4°F). Rockaway Beach receives more rainfall at 70.3" per year compared to 37.6" in Lafayette.