Lafayette vs Raleigh
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lafayette
Raleigh
The Verdict
Lafayette is 11.8% less expensive than Raleigh overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lafayette would need approximately $85,000 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $85,000 in Raleigh.
Conversely, $75,000 in Raleigh equals $66,176 in Lafayette.
Living in Lafayette vs Raleigh
Housing Costs
Lafayette's housing index of 73 is lower Raleigh's 107, translating to median home prices of $214,000 vs $370,000. The $156,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,140 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Lafayette compared to $1,500/mo in Raleigh, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lafayette and 100 in Raleigh. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lafayette vs $475/month in Raleigh. 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 94 in Raleigh. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Lafayette vs $376 in Raleigh. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 80 in Lafayette and 108 in Raleigh. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $67,266 in Raleigh. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,778 and $65,947 respectively. Lafayette residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,444/month to housing in Lafayette vs $1,570/month in Raleigh. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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