CostIndexUSA

Lafayette, LA vs Manchester, NH Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableLA
Lafayette
87.2
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
NH
Manchester
105.7
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Lafayette is significantly cheaper than Manchester — 21.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lafayette, you would need $97,000 in Manchester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+128.2%
Lafayette
58.8
Manchester
134.2
🛒 Groceries+4.3%
Lafayette
93.7
Manchester
97.7
🚗 Transportation+8.4%
Lafayette
100.5
Manchester
108.9
🏥 Healthcare+8.4%
Lafayette
90.9
Manchester
98.5
Utilities+87.5%
Lafayette
71.2
Manchester
133.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Manchester, NH
$97,000
$17,000 more needed in Manchester

Formula: salary × (105.7 ÷ 87.2) = salary × 1.2122. 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×

Manchester, NH

Median Home Price
$503,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
134.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.0×

Manchester has 128.2% 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

Manchester, NH

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Population
115,644
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceTechnologyManufacturingRetail

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)

Manchester, NH
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.