City Comparison

Davenport vs Lafayette

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Davenport

Iowa
83
Very Affordable
$212,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$66,200
Median Income

Lafayette

Louisiana
90
Below Average
$214,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$61,900
Median Income

The Verdict

7.8%

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

Housing
60
Davenport
73
Lafayette
Groceries
97
Davenport
96
Lafayette
Utilities
83
Davenport
97
Lafayette
Transportation
105
Davenport
96
Lafayette
Healthcare
97
Davenport
80
Lafayette

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

Davenport is 7.8% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Davenport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,325 in Lafayette, based on the cost of living difference.
Davenport's housing index is 60 with median homes at $212,000, while Lafayette's is 73 with median homes at $214,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases