salaryLafayette is the 5th-largest city in Louisiana that we track, with 121,715 residents. Rent is lower than in 82% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $43,840 a year. That is $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Louisiana cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Louisiana. It is number 41 of 102 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Lafayette?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lafayette
| Size | Lafayette | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $950 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $972 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,154 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,385 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,549 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lafayette overall?
Everyday prices in the Lafayette metro area are 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Lafayette
Life in Lafayette
What jobs pay in Lafayette
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $134,550 | 9.8% |
| Pharmacist | $132,130 | 10.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $120,930 | 10.9% |
| Lawyer | $111,160 | 11.8% |
| Software Developer | $109,010 | 12.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $102,390 | 12.8% |
| Operations Manager | $99,510 | 13.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,410 | 13.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,960 | 16.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,900 | 16.1% |
| Accountant | $67,630 | 19.4% |
| Electrician | $59,820 | 22.0% |
| Plumber | $57,930 | 22.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $56,660 | 23.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $51,970 | 25.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $51,580 | 25.5% |
| Police Officer | $49,900 | 26.4% |
| Truck Driver | $49,450 | 26.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $47,770 | 27.5% |
| Carpenter | $47,440 | 27.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $36,820 | 35.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $34,940 | 37.6% |
| Warehouse Worker | $32,600 | 40.3% |
| Firefighter | $30,100 | 43.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $29,960 | 43.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,600 | 46.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $27,660 | 47.5% |
| Cashier | $24,920 | 52.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $15,080 | 87.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lafayette?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $687 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $257,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,700 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lafayette, LA?
Renting in Lafayette costs a median of about $1,096 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Louisiana median is $1,165.
How much do I need to make to live in Lafayette?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $43,840 a year, or $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lafayette cheap or expensive?
Lafayette is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.7% of the typical household income of $66,775. It ranks 41st cheapest of 102 Louisiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lafayette?
The median homeowner in Lafayette pays $1,482 a year in property taxes, about 0.58% of the median home value.
Is Lafayette more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 13% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Lafayette?
The median home value in Lafayette is $257,000, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
121,715 people live in Lafayette. Numbers are typical (middle) values.