Davenport vs Lafayette
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Davenport
Lafayette
The Verdict
Living in Davenport costs 7.8% less than Lafayette. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Davenport, you would need $81,325 in Lafayette.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Davenport has the same purchasing power as $81,325 in Lafayette.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lafayette equals $69,167 in Davenport.
Living in Davenport vs Lafayette
Housing Costs
Davenport's housing index of 60 is lower Lafayette's 73, translating to median home prices of $212,000 vs $214,000. The $2,000 difference in home prices means roughly $132 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Davenport compared to $1,100/mo in Lafayette, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Davenport and 96 in Lafayette. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Davenport vs $456/month in Lafayette. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Davenport and 97 in Lafayette. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Davenport vs $388 in Lafayette. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Davenport and 80 in Lafayette. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $66,200 in Davenport and $61,900 in Lafayette. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,759 and $68,778 respectively. Davenport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,545/month to housing in Davenport vs $1,444/month in Lafayette. In Davenport, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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