CostIndexUSA

Lafayette, LA vs Lincoln, NE Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableLA
Lafayette
87.2
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
NE
Lincoln
91.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Lafayette is moderately cheaper than Lincoln — 5.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lafayette, you would need $84,000 in Lincoln. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+43.2%
Lafayette
58.8
Lincoln
84.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lafayette
93.7
Lincoln
94.1
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Lafayette
100.5
Lincoln
97.6
🏥 Healthcare2.9%
Lafayette
90.9
Lincoln
88.3
Utilities+7.9%
Lafayette
71.2
Lincoln
76.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lincoln, NE
$84,000
$4,000 more needed in Lincoln

Formula: salary × (91.6 ÷ 87.2) = salary × 1.0505. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lafayette, LA

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

Lincoln, NE

Median Home Price
$289,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
84.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9×

Lincoln has 43.2% higher housing costs compared to Lafayette.

Income & Job Market

Lafayette, LA

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

Lincoln, NE

Median Household Income
$71,200
Per Capita Income
$40,600
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
289,102
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentFinanceManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

Lafayette, LA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Lincoln, NE
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.