CostIndexUSA

Lafayette, LA vs Springfield, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableLA
Lafayette
87.2
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
MO
Springfield
88.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Lafayette is slightly cheaper than Springfield — 1.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lafayette, you would need $81,300 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+11.6%
Lafayette
58.8
Springfield
65.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lafayette
93.7
Springfield
94.2
🚗 Transportation2.8%
Lafayette
100.5
Springfield
97.7
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Lafayette
90.9
Springfield
88.4
Utilities+20.5%
Lafayette
71.2
Springfield
85.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MO
$81,300
$1,300 more needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (88.6 ÷ 87.2) = salary × 1.0161. 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×

Springfield, MO

Median Home Price
$260,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
65.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Springfield has 11.6% higher housing costs compared to Lafayette.

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

Springfield, MO

Median Household Income
$62,900
Per Capita Income
$35,900
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
167,882
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailFinance

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)

Springfield, MO
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.