CostIndexUSA

Champaign, IL vs Lafayette, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Champaign
92.7
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Lafayette
87.2
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Lafayette is moderately cheaper than Champaign — 5.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $75,300 in Lafayette. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing17.9%
Champaign
71.6
Lafayette
58.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Champaign
93.6
Lafayette
93.7
🚗 Transportation3.9%
Champaign
104.6
Lafayette
100.5
🏥 Healthcare3.9%
Champaign
94.6
Lafayette
90.9
Utilities21.3%
Champaign
90.5
Lafayette
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Champaign to see what you'd need to earn in Lafayette to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Lafayette, LA
$75,300
$4,700 less needed in Lafayette

Formula: salary × (87.2 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 0.9407. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Champaign, IL

Median Home Price
$224,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Lafayette, LA

Median Home Price
$194,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
58.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.2×

Champaign has 17.9% lower housing costs compared to Lafayette.

Income & Job Market

Champaign, IL

Median Household Income
$62,100
Per Capita Income
$35,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
88,302
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyAgricultureRetail

Lafayette, LA

Median Household Income
$57,300
Per Capita Income
$32,700
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
120,623
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareEducationManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Champaign, IL
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Lafayette, LA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.