Rows tagged local are specific to Lafayette (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Lafayette, LA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 7/10 (district 2200870 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
87.6
metro-area
#8 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
93.0
metro-area
#16 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$4.98
metro-area
#7 of 200
Median household income
$58,850
local
#182 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$36,606
local
#117 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
6.14%
local
#158 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
-3.8%
local
#188 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$234,900
local
#12 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.0×
local
#15 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+2.1%
metro-area
#85 of 200
Price per square foot
$118
local
#8 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,999 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,022
local
#44 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,793
Median days on market
26
metro-area
#143 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.1%
state
#38 of 200
Combined sales tax
9.56%
state
#195 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
3.00%
Capital gains tax
4.25%
state
#78 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.58%
local
#14 of 200
Median property tax paid
$1,356
local
#9 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#65 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$8,000
state
#14 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$100
state
#83 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
0.10% of value (~$28/yr)
state
#105 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
20 min
local
#135 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.4¢/kWh
state
#27 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$130
state
#27 of 200
Gasoline
$2.95/gal
state
#3 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$52
state
#23 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$108
state
#115 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$76
state
#20 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$3,500
state
#160 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,900
state
#181 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$1,000
state
#179 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
51
metro-area
#138 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
2,900
metro-area
#158 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
1,500
metro-area
#23 of 200
Avg summer high
92°F
metro-area
#163 of 200
Avg winter low
43°F
metro-area
#39 of 200
Annual precipitation
63.4"
metro-area
#196 of 200
Annual snowfall
0.0"
metro-area
#1 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
57%
metro-area
#121 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
9a
Frost window
02-10 → 12-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
630
state
#191 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
3,000
state
#186 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.