Lafayette vs Plano
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lafayette
Plano
The Verdict
Living in Lafayette costs 17.4% less than Plano. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lafayette, you would need $90,833 in Plano.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lafayette has the same purchasing power as $90,833 in Plano.
Conversely, $75,000 in Plano equals $61,927 in Lafayette.
Living in Lafayette vs Plano
Housing Costs
Lafayette's housing index of 73 is lower Plano's 123, translating to median home prices of $214,000 vs $400,000. The $186,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Lafayette compared to $1,700/mo in Plano, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lafayette and 98 in Plano. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lafayette vs $466/month in Plano. 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 99 in Plano. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Lafayette vs $396 in Plano. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 80 in Lafayette and 100 in Plano. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $96,348 in Plano. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,778 and $88,393 respectively. Plano residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,444/month to housing in Lafayette vs $2,248/month in Plano. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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