Living in Lafayette, LA
Lafayette is the 239th-largest city in the US, home to about 123,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run well below the national average (87.2 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 123,311+1.6% since 2020
- Median home value
- $257,0004.2 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,100/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $61,915median, per year
- Price level
- 87.2US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 62° / 92°lows 44° / 75°
- Average commute
- 20 min10% work from home
- State income tax
- 3%top rate, flat
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County: Lafayette Parish
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 36 ft
Metro area: Lafayette, LA
Cost of living in Lafayette
The median home in Lafayette is worth $257,000 and the median household earns $61,915 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.2 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,100 a month, about 21% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Lafayette, LA metro area at 87.2, with housing at 58.8 and goods at 93.7 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $65,400 here. Louisiana taxes wages at a top rate of 3% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Louisiana is 10.13%.
What would my salary be worth in Lafayette?
Lafayette weather
Average highs run from 62°F in January to 92°F in July, and January nights average 44°F. It gets 63 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 91 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to March and November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Lafayette
People and work
The median resident is 36.9 years old, and 41% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 53% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 20 minutes; 10% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.9301st youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 41%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 53%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,19556.2 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.2%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 18.3%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1981median year
Who moves to Lafayette, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Houston (Harris County), St. Tammany Parish, LA and Metairie (Jefferson Parish). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Houston (Harris County), New Orleans (Orleans Parish) and Metairie (Jefferson Parish). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Lafayette County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: hurricane, lightning, ice storm, cold wave.
Home prices
+5.6% in a year
Up 25% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Lafayette, LA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
64% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Lafayette, LA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Lafayette
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette
- Louisiana State University-Eunice 31 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Lafayette
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Regional Airport LFT | 2 mi | 264,471 |
| Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport BTR | 56 mi | 419,446 |
| Lake Charles Regional Airport LCH | 72 mi | 90,791 |
| Alexandria International Airport AEX | 83 mi | 204,603 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Lafayette
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | in town | 12,428 | $14,924 | 52% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Lafayette
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before February 13, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 20 and the first frost comes around December 4.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Lafayette Regional Airport, LA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Lafayette.
Wildfire smoke in Lafayette
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Lafayette on about 179 days a year, including about 23 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Lafayette
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 52,966 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Lafayette
Downtown Lafayette is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Parish School District | Pre-K to 12 | 29,396 | 45 | 17.6 |
Other districts within 10 miles: St. Landry Parish School District (10,982 students), Acadia Parish School District (9,043 students), Vermilion Parish School District (8,433 students), St. Martin Parish School District (6,680 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Lafayette's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Lafayette's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Bryan, TX73% matchCompare
- Tuscaloosa, AL73% matchCompare
- Tallahassee, FL72% matchCompare
- Columbus, GA70% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Pros and cons of living in Lafayette
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 13% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 62°F.
- Data Commutes are short: 20 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Sales tax is high: 10.13% on average with local taxes.
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 91 days a year reach 90°F.
Lafayette report card from locals
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Cities near Lafayette
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 60 mi | 222,795 | $234,700 | 90.8 | Compare |
| Lake Charles, LA | 78 mi | 82,676 | $214,300 | 85.9 | Compare |
| Metairie, LA | 113 mi | 139,729 | $327,500 | 92.6 | Compare |
| New Orleans, LA | 118 mi | 362,154 | $315,700 | 92.6 | Compare |
| Beaumont, TX | 126 mi | 112,967 | $166,400 | 90.0 | Compare |
| Gulfport, MS | 177 mi | 76,506 | $174,600 | 90.0 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Lafayette with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Lafayette a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, short commutes; the trade-offs are 91 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Lafayette side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Lafayette?
The Census Bureau estimates Lafayette had 123,311 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 121,393 in April 2020 (+1.6%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Lafayette?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $65,400 in the Lafayette area. The median household here earns $61,915.
When is the best time to visit Lafayette?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to March and November are the most comfortable months. July averages 92°F and January 62°F for daytime highs.
What county is Lafayette in?
Lafayette is in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Lafayette in?
Lafayette is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Lafayette?
About 36 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Louisiana have a state income tax?
Yes. Louisiana has a flat income tax with a top rate of 3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Lafayette. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Lafayette, LA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Lafayette Regional Airport, LA station; snowfall from Lafayette, LA. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.