on $100k a year, leaving Miami

change
Lafayette, LA cityscape

instead of miami

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

$1,083

lighter monthly cost than Miami

Lafayette runs on a fraction of Miami's budget. Same paycheck, real lifestyle upgrade.
landable, recorded on the lafayette entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,332/mo

50% cheaper than Miami(vs $2,665/mo)

02state income tax

3%

$250/mo more in state tax than Miami

vs 0% in Miami

03after rent

$6,751/mo

$1,083 more than Miami

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

04a house here

$200k

65% cheaper than Miami

vs $565k in Miami

05metro size

414k

vs 6.2M in Miami

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

211

pleasant days a year, in lafayette.

Miami edges ahead with 272 pleasant days.

Noticeably quieter than Miami. About 99% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

43/100

44% lower than Miami

vs 77/100 in Miami

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

·walk score®

85/100

12% lower than Miami

vs 97/100 in Miami

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

3

98% fewer than Miami

vs 167 nonstops in Miami

04 · see also

same energy as lafayette, different zip code:

see also

fayetteville

better park access

turn the page

see also

augusta

better park access

turn the page

see also

baton rouge

better park access

turn the page

compare lafayette with:

FayettevilleAugustaBaton Rouge