| Index | Lafayette | Colorado | National |
| Cost of living | 143 | 115 | 100 |
| Groceries | 102 | 104 | 100 |
| Health care | 104 | 107 | 100 |
| Housing | 232 | 136 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 106 | 100 |
| Utilities | 108 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 111 | 107 | 100 |
| Household Items | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 104 | 111 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Lafayette? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Lafayette stands at 143, making it 43% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Lafayette may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Lafayette falls within this bracket.
When it comes to the cost of living in Lafayette, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 132.2% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Lafayette affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Lafayette, for instance, where the median home price falls 156.6% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 75% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Lafayette flaunting a median household income of $128,882, 58.5% higher than the national norm.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Lafayette, healthcare costs are 3.5% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Lafayette, the groceries index is 1.6% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
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 | $148,256 | $12,355 | $3,459 | $4,448 |
| Renters | $88,550 | $7,379 | $2,066 | $2,657 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Colorado | 2.9% | 10% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Colorado | 4.4% | 4.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Crisman, CO | 53 | 106 | 5.6% |
| Leyner, CO | 0 | 109 | 8.9% |
| Eldorado Springs, CO | 332 | 109 | 8.9% |
| Lakeside, CO | 6 | 90 | 10.0% |
| Federal Heights, CO | 14,024 | 95 | 5.1% |
| Lafayette, CO | 28,546 | 143 | 42.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Converse, TX | 28,554 | 101 | 0.5% |
| Old Bridge, NJ | 28,566 | 131 | 31.5% |
| Milton, MA | 28,525 | 167 | 66.8% |
| Kirkwood, MO | 28,511 | 117 | 16.6% |
| Oxford, MS | 28,503 | 107 | 7.1% |
| Lafayette, CO | 28,546 | 143 | 42.8% |