Lafayette wins overall by ~26% (COL index)
Cost of living: Chicago vs Lafayette (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Chicago buys roughly what $47,664 does in Lafayette (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$12,126/yr
Favoring Lafayette for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,011/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~15 months and still keep ~$121/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Chicago Illinois | Lafayette Louisiana | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500 | $900Wins | Lafayette wins −$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Lafayette |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900 | $1,100Wins | Lafayette wins −$800/mo | $9,600/yr saves in Lafayette |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $1,450Wins | Lafayette wins −$1,150/mo | $13,800/yr saves in Lafayette |
| Median home price | $360K | $220KWins | Lafayette wins −$140K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 102 | 95Better | Lafayette wins -7 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15 | $12Wins | Lafayette wins −$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60 | $48Wins | Lafayette wins −$12/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $105 | $42Wins | Lafayette wins −$63/mo | $756/yr saves in Lafayette |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40 | $3.00Better | Lafayette wins −$0.40 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $165Wins | $200 | Chicago wins +$35/mo | $420/yr saves in Chicago |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165Wins | $208 | Chicago wins +$43/mo | $516/yr saves in Chicago |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $58Better | Lafayette wins −$7/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $67KWins | $50K | Chicago wins −$17K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.9% | 4.3%Wins | Lafayette wins -0.6 pp | $360/yr saves in Lafayette |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 10.3% | 9.8%Better | Lafayette wins -0.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00 | $13.00Wins | Lafayette wins −$3.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45 | $32Wins | Lafayette wins −$13/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00 | $5.00Wins | Lafayette wins −$2.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 107 | 85Wins | Lafayette wins -22 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 78Wins | 22 | Chicago wins -56 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Lafayette fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Lafayette.
High-yield savings
Park ~$9,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago cheaper than Lafayette?
No. Lafayette is 26% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (85 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Chicago vs Lafayette?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Chicago is $1,900/month and in Lafayette is $1,100/month. Chicago is more expensive by 73%.
How much do I need to earn in Lafayette to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $59,579/year in Lafayette to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Chicago or Lafayette?
Lafayette has the lower state income tax rate at 4.3% vs 4.9%. The difference is 0.6 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Chicago to Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Lafayette offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Chicago ↔ Lafayette
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