CostIndexUSA

Lafayette, LA vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

LA
Lafayette
87.2
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is slightly cheaper than Lafayette — 4.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lafayette, you would need $76,700 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing−27.2%
Lafayette
58.8
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lafayette
93.7
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Lafayette
100.5
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Lafayette
90.9
Monroe
90.9
⚡ Utilities+1.4%
Lafayette
71.2
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$76,700
$3,300 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 87.2) = salary × 0.9587. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lafayette, LA

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

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Lafayette has 27.2% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Lafayette, LA

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

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Lafayette, LA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Lafayette vs other cities

Lafayette, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 87.2Index: 90.8
Lafayette, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 87.2Index: 85.9
Lafayette, LA
vs
New Orleans, LA
Index: 87.2Index: 92.6
Lafayette, LA
vs
College Station, TX
Index: 87.2Index: 91
Lafayette, LA
vs
Hartford, CT
Index: 87.2Index: 102.7

Monroe vs other cities

Monroe, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 90.8
Monroe, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 85.9
Monroe, LA
vs
New Orleans, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 92.6
Monroe, LA
vs
Charleston, WV
Index: 83.6Index: 88.7
Monroe, LA
vs
San Luis Obispo, CA
Index: 83.6Index: 108.6

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.