CostIndexUSA

Kingsport, TN vs Lafayette, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Kingsport
86.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
LA
Lafayette
87.2
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Kingsport is slightly cheaper than Lafayette — 0.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kingsport, you would need $80,700 in Lafayette. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+4.1%
Kingsport
56.5
Lafayette
58.8
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Kingsport
96.2
Lafayette
93.7
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Kingsport
100.6
Lafayette
100.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Kingsport
91
Lafayette
90.9
Utilities6.2%
Kingsport
75.9
Lafayette
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Kingsport to see what you'd need to earn in Lafayette to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Lafayette, LA
$80,700
$700 more needed in Lafayette

Formula: salary × (87.2 ÷ 86.4) = salary × 1.0093. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Kingsport, TN

Median Home Price
$235,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
56.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.0×

Lafayette, LA

Median Home Price
$194,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
58.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.2×

Lafayette has 4.1% higher housing costs compared to Kingsport.

Income & Job Market

Kingsport, TN

Median Household Income
$53,800
Per Capita Income
$30,700
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
55,442
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareChemicalsRetailGovernment

Lafayette, LA

Median Household Income
$57,300
Per Capita Income
$32,700
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
120,623
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareEducationManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Kingsport, TN
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Lafayette, LA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.