CostIndexUSA

Lafayette, LA vs Vallejo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableLA
Lafayette
87.2
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
CA
Vallejo
108.5
overall index
$2,375/mo rent

Lafayette is significantly cheaper than Vallejo — 24.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lafayette, you would need $99,500 in Vallejo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+141.5%
Lafayette
58.8
Vallejo
142
🛒 Groceries+12.3%
Lafayette
93.7
Vallejo
105.2
🚗 Transportation+4.8%
Lafayette
100.5
Vallejo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.8%
Lafayette
90.9
Vallejo
95.3
Utilities+117.7%
Lafayette
71.2
Vallejo
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Vallejo, CA
$99,500
$19,500 more needed in Vallejo

Formula: salary × (108.5 ÷ 87.2) = salary × 1.2443. 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×

Vallejo, CA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,375
Housing Index
142
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.9×

Vallejo has 141.5% 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

Vallejo, CA

Median Household Income
$100,000
Per Capita Income
$57,000
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
121,253
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Vallejo, CA
3.5×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.