on $100k a year, leaving San Jose

change
Lafayette, LA cityscape

instead of san jose

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.

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$2,663

lighter monthly cost than San Jose

Lafayette is the kind of cheap that changes the math. Same salary, a different life on the other side.
landable, recorded on the lafayette entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,332/mo

62% cheaper than San Jose(vs $3,470/mo)

02state income tax

3%

$525/mo less in state tax than San Jose

vs 9.3% in San Jose

03after rent

$6,751/mo

$2,663 more than San Jose

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

04a house here

$200k

89% cheaper than San Jose

vs $1796k in San Jose

05metro size

414k

vs 1.9M in San Jose

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

211

pleasant days a year, in lafayette.

San Jose actually gets more: 283 pleasant days a year.

Noticeably quieter than San Jose. About 92% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

43/100

39% lower than San Jose

vs 70/100 in San Jose

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

·walk score®

85/100

11% lower than San Jose

vs 95/100 in San Jose

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

3

90% fewer than San Jose

vs 29 nonstops in San Jose

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

baton rouge

better park access

turn the page

compare lafayette with:

FayettevilleAugustaBaton Rouge