| Index | Lafayette | California | National |
| Cost of living | 280 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 656 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 124 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 124 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 120 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 133 | 127 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Lafayette allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Lafayette stands at 280, marking it 180% higher than the national average.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Lafayette may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Lafayette falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Lafayette, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 556.4% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Recurring household expenses such as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics are a steady part of monthly spending and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Lafayette, these everyday items will cost you 12.5% more than average, making it a slightly more expensive place to call home.
The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Lafayette, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 13.4% higher than the national average.
Is Lafayette an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Lafayette is 734.5% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 140.8% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Lafayette has a median household income of $284,942, which is 250.3% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Lafayette, the transportation index is 24.3% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Lafayette, the utilities index registers at 23.5% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Lafayette starts at 7.25% and the income tax rates start at 1%.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Lafayette are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $331,567 | $27,631 | $7,736 | $9,948 |
| Renters | $146,195 | $12,183 | $3,411 | $4,386 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Port Costa, CA | 251 | 115 | 14.6% |
| Pacheco, CA | 4,956 | 111 | 11.4% |
| San Miguel CDP (San Luis Obispo County), CA | 2,800 | 130 | 29.5% |
| Bay Point, CA | 26,221 | 134 | 34.4% |
| El Cerrito CDP, CA | 5,896 | 141 | 41.1% |
| Lafayette, CA | 26,574 | 280 | 180.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Green, OH | 26,538 | 98 | 1.8% |
| Columbine, CO | 26,527 | 145 | 44.8% |
| Moscow, ID | 26,621 | 111 | 11.0% |
| South Portland, ME | 26,521 | 118 | 18.4% |
| Northport, AL | 26,634 | 98 | 2.1% |
| Lafayette, CA | 26,574 | 280 | 180.4% |
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