City Comparison

Lafayette vs Oklahoma City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lafayette

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

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma
87
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$55,458
Median Income

The Verdict

3.4%

Living in Oklahoma City costs 3.4% less than Lafayette. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lafayette, you would need $72,500 in Oklahoma City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
73
Lafayette
68
Oklahoma City
Groceries
96
Lafayette
95
Oklahoma City
Utilities
97
Lafayette
92
Oklahoma City
Transportation
96
Lafayette
100
Oklahoma City
Healthcare
80
Lafayette
92
Oklahoma City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lafayette has the same purchasing power as $72,500 in Oklahoma City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oklahoma City equals $77,586 in Lafayette.

Living in Lafayette vs Oklahoma City

Housing Costs

Lafayette's housing index of 73 is higher Oklahoma City's 68, translating to median home prices of $214,000 vs $195,000. The $19,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,236 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Lafayette compared to $1,000/mo in Oklahoma City, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lafayette and 95 in Oklahoma City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lafayette vs $451/month in Oklahoma City. 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 97 in Lafayette and 92 in Oklahoma City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Lafayette vs $368 in Oklahoma City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 80 in Lafayette and 92 in Oklahoma City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $61,900 in Lafayette and $55,458 in Oklahoma City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,778 and $63,745 respectively. Lafayette residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,444/month to housing in Lafayette vs $1,294/month in Oklahoma City. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oklahoma City is 3.4% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Lafayette has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,500 in Oklahoma City, based on the cost of living difference.
Lafayette's housing index is 73 with median homes at $214,000, while Oklahoma City's is 68 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases