with $100k coming in, swapping out of Baton Rouge

change
Lafayette, LA cityscape

from baton rouge

Lafayette

la · metro 414k

photo: Gage LaVergne / pexels

a dispatch from

lafayette

LA

30.22°N

92.02°W

Lafayette is the unofficial capital of Cajun country, with zydeco music spilling out of dance halls, crawfish boils that count as social events, and gumbo so dark and rich it should be served with a nap. Mardi Gras here is huge but more family-friendly than New Orleans. The food (boudin, etouffee, cracklins) is the main reason to be here. Friendly in a way that's hard to fake.

metro414k

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$29

cheaper each month than Baton Rouge

On paper, Lafayette and Baton Rouge are twins. In practice they live very differently.
landable, recorded on the lafayette entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,332/mo

2% cheaper than Baton Rouge(vs $1,361/mo)

02state income tax

3%

vs 3% in Baton Rouge

03after rent

$6,751/mo

$29 more than Baton Rouge

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$200k

20% cheaper than Baton Rouge

vs $250k in Baton Rouge

05metro size

414k

vs 874k in Baton Rouge

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

211

pleasant days a year, in lafayette.

Baton Rouge only manages 187 of those.

Baton Rouge hosts 3.0× more events.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

43/100

14% lower than Baton Rouge

vs 50/100 in Baton Rouge

Closest outdoor draw: Chicot State Park District II, 42.7 mi.

·walk score®

85/100

13% higher than Baton Rouge

vs 75/100 in Baton Rouge

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

3

25% fewer than Baton Rouge

vs 4 nonstops in Baton Rouge

04 · see also

if lafayette appeals, also worth a look:

see also

fayetteville

better park access

turn the page

see also

augusta

better park access

turn the page

see also

oklahoma city

more flight options

turn the page

compare lafayette with:

FayettevilleAugustaOklahoma City