City Comparison

Lafayette vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lafayette

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

3.4%

Springdale is 3.4% less expensive than Lafayette overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lafayette would need approximately $72,500 in Springdale to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
73
Lafayette
86
Springdale
Groceries
96
Lafayette
97
Springdale
Utilities
97
Lafayette
93
Springdale
Transportation
96
Lafayette
91
Springdale
Healthcare
80
Lafayette
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $77,586 in Lafayette.

Living in Lafayette vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Lafayette's housing index of 73 is lower Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $214,000 vs $299,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 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 Springdale, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lafayette and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lafayette vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Lafayette vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 80 in Lafayette and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $61,900 in Lafayette and $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,778 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale 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 Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Lafayette's housing index is 73 with median homes at $214,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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