Moving to Lafayette LA in 2023? Complete Moving Guide

This is a complete guide for Moving to Lafayette, LA.
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Lafayette, LA.

Is moving to Lafayette Louisiana right for you?

Lafayette is one of the best places to live in Louisiana. The city is home to more than a hundred thousand people. Known for its history, music, and southern hospitality, Lafayette, is one of the most coveted cities in Louisiana.

Also known as “the Hub City” for its notable role in the Gulf Coast’s oil and gas industry, Lafayette is the fourth largest city in Louisiana. The city keeps attracting visitors and tourists from America and beyond.

If you’re considering moving to Lafayette LA and wondering if the city is right for you, this guide contains all you need to know to make the right decision.

Let’s find out if moving to Lafayette LA is right for you.

facts of Lafayette

Quick facts to know before moving to Lafayette, Louisiana

  • Lafayette’s summer high in July is around 91 degrees
  • Lafayette’s winter low in January is 42 degrees
  • Around 40.5% of Lafayette’s residents are renters
  • Lafayette’s median home cost is $182,200
  • Around 40.5% of Lafayette’s residents are renters
  • Lafayette’s cost of living is lower than the U.S. average

What’s the population of Lafayette, Louisiana?

Lafayette’s population is 121,599 people. The city stretches across 56 square miles making it the 5th largest city in Louisiana. Lafayette is nestled in Lafayette Parish Louisiana and the city is the county seat.

  • Lafayette has a population density of 2,191 people per square mile
  • The median age in Lafayette is 36.4 years
  • 34.9 years is the median age for males and 37.9 years for females
  • Lafayette is currently growing at a rate of 0.06% annually

How Fast Can You Commute If You Move To Lafayette, LA?

Lafayette’s average one-way commute time takes 21.1 minutes. That’s lower than the U.S. average of 26.4 minutes. You’ll spend less than 30 minutes commuting to work if you move to Lafayette. Less time on the road means less stress and having more time for other things.

Here’s how people in Lafayette get to work:

  • About 82.1% of Lafayette residents drive their own car alone
  • Around 9.4% of Lafayette residents carpool with others
  • Up to 3.2% of Lafayette residents work from home
  • About 1.0% of Lafayette residents take mass transit

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What’s The Weather Like In Lafayette, Louisiana?

Lafayette averages 217 sunny days per year. The United States average is 205 sunny days. If the weather is one of the key things you’d like to consider before moving to Lafayette, the following is a quick snapshot of the Motor City’s weather:

  • Lafayette’s summer high in July is around 91 degrees
  • Lafayette gets 62 inches of rain on average per year. The U.S. average is 38 inches
  • On average, Lafayette gets 0 inches of snow per year. U.S. average is 28 inches
  • Lafayette’s winter low in January is 42 degrees
  • Lafayette gets 108 days of precipitation every year
moving to Lafayette

Top 10 Reasons To Move To Lafayette, LA

People are moving to Lafayette for many reasons. As the capital city of New Jersey, Lafayette is constantly attracting people from all over the state and beyond.

Since you’re considering moving to Lafayette, the following are the key reasons people are moving to the city:

  • Lafayette is a family friendly city
  • The sun is always shinning in Lafayette
  • Lafayette has a mild weather year-round
  • Lafayette is rich in history and culture
  • Lafayette is well-known for its delicious Cajun cuisine
  • Homes are affordable in Lafayette
  • Lafayette is a foodie’s paradise
  • Lafayette has a robust job market
  • Lafayette’s cost of living is lower than the national average
  • Its easy to get in and out of Lafayette
Lafayette pros and cons

Pros & cons of moving to Lafayette, LA

If you’d like to find out if moving to Lafayette is right for you or not, we’ve made a list of the pros and cons of living in the city.

This can make it easier for you to figure out if moving to Lafayette is right for you or not.

Pros of living in Lafayette Cons of living in Lafayette
Tons of cultural activitiesLafayette, Louisiana is no stranger to traffic
Friendly and welcoming communityHurricane
Affordable cost of livingNot a lot of nature
Great foodLack of jobs
Low volcanic hazard riskHigh Sales Tax
Low wildfire riskToo close to an airport
Amazing climateLow house ownership rate
Low property taxHigh tornado risk
Race diversityHigh hurricane risk
Low earthquake riskHigh risk of severe storms
Great weatherFewer good air days
place to live Lafayette

Best places to live in if you move to Lafayette, LA

Lafayette is home to several beautiful livable neighborhoods. Moving to Lafayette gives you the perfect chance to live in any of these neighborhoods.

If you’re moving to Lafayette and wondering what neighborhood the best for you is, the following is a list of the ten best neighborhoods in Lafayette, LA:

  • River Ranch
  • N College Rd / Reinhardt Dr
  • Bendel Gardens / Greenbriar Estates
  • Magnolia Park
  • Johnston St / E Broussard Rd
  • Acadiana Wood
  • Bois de Lafayette
  • Kaliste Saloom Rd / E Farrel Rd
  • Acadian Oaks / Pilette
  • Ambassador Caffery Pkwy / la Neuville Rd

Tip: When you’ve got a home to move in Lafayette, LA, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

cost of living in Lafayette

Cost of living if you’re moving to Lafayette, LA

Affordable living in a big city is one of the key perks of moving to Lafayette. The cost of living in Lafayette is 88.0. The United States average is 100.

Lafayette’s average cost of living is below the national average. The following are the key components that make up Lafayette’s cost of living:

Living Expense Lafayette Louisiana National Average
Overall8889.9100
Grocery95.892.7100
Health114.7113.2100
Housing62.564.9100
Median Home Cost$182,200$189,200$291,700
Utilities87.789.9100
Transportation101.5108.2100
Miscellaneous96.981.4100

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Lafayette’s housing market

If you’re interested in buying a home after moving to Lafayette, we have the key information you need to know about the city’s housing market. This will make it easier for you to make up your mind about buying a home or not if you’re moving to Lafayette, Louisiana:

  • Lafayette’s median home cost is $182,200
  • Over the last ten years, home values in Lafayette have risen by 14.9%
  • Currently, Lafayette’s home values have appreciated by 8.0%
  • Around 40.5% of Lafayette’s residents are renters
  • Up to 3.7% of homes and apartments in Lafayette are open to rent

What’s the average home rental price in Lafayette?

Lafayette’s rental market is known for its affordable homes. If you’re considering renting a home or an apartment after moving to Lafayette, look at the average rental prices below:

  • Lafayette’s average rent for a studio apartment is $590
  • Lafayette’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $758
  • Lafayette’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $864
  • Lafayette average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $1,167
  • The average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is 1,347
jobs in Lafayette

What’s the job market like in Lafayette, Louisiana?

How fast can you get a job if you need one in Lafayette? The COVID-19 pandemic has affected several job markets across the United States and Lafayette wasn’t left out. Since you’re considering moving to Lafayette, here’s a breakdown of the city’s job market:

  • Lafayette’s unemployment rate is 5.8%. The U.S. average is 6.0%
  • Lafayette’s job growth has been positive so far
  • Over the past year, Lafayette’s jobs have grown by 0.3%
  • Lafayette’s future job growth is predicted to hit 33.51%
  • Getting a job in Lafayette is easier compared to other similar sized cities in the state

The following is a simple breakdown of the city’s job market:

Employment Information Lafayette, Louisiana United States
The income per Cap$30,988$31,177
Household Income$48,533$57,652
Unemployment Rate5.8%6.0%
Recent Job Growth-4.82%-6.18%
Future Job Growth12.24%33.51%

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What are the top career options in Lafayette, LA?

You’ll find lots of jobs to choose from if you’re moving to Lafayette. Which ones should you opt for? You may be interested in some of the city’s highest-paying jobs. The following is the list of the highest-paying jobs in Lafayette, LA.

Job Title Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
Interventional Cardiologist$341,376$28,448$6,564$164.12
Diagnostic Radiologist$330,233$27,519$6,350$158.77
General Surgeon$327,648$27,304$6,300$157.52
Emergency Medicine Physician$323,504$26,958$6,221$155.53
Plastic Surgeon$321,782$26,815$6,188$154.70
Anesthesiologist$317,672$26,472$6,109$152.73
General Cardiologist$278,160$23,180$5,349$133.73
Endodontist$267,656$22,304$5,147$128.68
Dermatologist$267,404$22,283$5,142$128.56
Radiologist$265,825$22,152$5,112$127.80

What is a good salary in Lafayette, LA?

Moving to Lafayette could mean getting a new job. But how many bucks can you earn in the city? Will you be earning more money or less compared to where you are right now? Let’s find out:

  • Lafayette’s average annual pay for average jobs is $50,825
  • Lafayette’s average hourly pay is $24.44 per hour
  • Lafayette’s average weekly pay is $977 per week
  • Lafayette’s average monthly payment is $4235 per month
  • Louisiana minimum wage is $7.25 per hour

Top Industries in Lafayette, LA

Like several other large cities, Lafayette’s economy is powered by several industries. The best part is that whether you work in a small or large industry, you’ll most likely find a suitable spot for your job in Lafayette. The following is a list of the city’s largest industries since you’re considering moving to Lafayette, LA:

  • Oil and gas
  • Retail
  • Construction
  • Tourism
  • Finance
  • Manufacturing
  • Health care
  • Information technology
  • Legal
taxes in Lafayette

Louisiana tax rates

Moving to Louisiana could mean paying higher or lower taxes depending on where you’re moving from.

To make it easier for you to make a fair comparison before making up your mind about moving to Louisiana, here’s a simple stat of the state’s tax rates:

  • Louisiana’s income tax is 2.00% to 6.00%
  • Louisiana’s sales tax is 4.45% - 11.45%
  • Property tax in Louisiana is 0.53% average effective rate
  • Louisiana’s gas tax is 20 cents per gallon of regular diesel and gasoline
Lafayette Things to do

Best Things To Do If You Move To Lafayette, LA

There are lots of exciting things you can do in Lafayette. The city is home to several attractions, and you’ll find lots of amazing things to do in Lafayette.

If you’re moving to Lafayette, we’ve made a list of the various things you can do and places to visit and explore. Look at the list:

  • Go on a Swamp Tour
  • Eat Some Crawfish
  • Tour the Tabasco Factory on Avery Island
  • Get in Touch with Nature at Jungle Gardens on Avery Island
  • Stay in a Historical Plantation Home
  • Explore Downtown Lafayette
  • Broaden Your Mind at the Lafayette Science Museum
  • See the Lafayette Museum (The Alexandre Mouton House)
  • Visit the Acadian Cultural Center
  • Step Back in Time at the Acadian Village
  • Tour the Vermilionville Living History Museum
  • Explore Cypress Island Nature Preserve on Lake Martin
  • Taste the Local Cuisine with Cajun Food Tours
  • Watch or Play Live Music at a Cajun Jam
  • Catch Live Zydeco Music

What is the crime rate in Lafayette, LA?

Is Lafayette a safe city for you and your loved ones? Like several other large cities in the United States, Lafayette has its fair share of crime problems. The following are key stats about the city’s crime rates since you’re considering moving to Lafayette, LA:

  • The violent crime rate in Lafayette is 38.0 The national average is 22.7
  • The property crime rate in Lafayette is 72.9. The national average is 35.4
  • Residents have a 1 in 177.9 chance of being the victim o f a violent crime
  • Residents have a 1 in 22.1 chance of being the victim of a property crime

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Statistic Count Raw Lafayette/ 100k People Louisiana/ 100k People National/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K6,4375,081.33,523.82,346.0
Violent Crime712562.1639.4387.8
Murder1411.115.86.5
Robbery147116.080.773.9
Aggravated Assault534421.5497.0279.7
Property Crime5,7254,519.32,884.41,958.2
Burglary1,069843.9510.1314.2
Larceny4,2473,352.62,107.31,398.0
Car Theft409322.9266.9246.0
schools in Lafayette

Best Schools & Universities in Lafayette, LA

Lafayette is home to several top-quality schools. If you’re moving to Lafayette, you’ll have easier access to several excellent schools from universities and colleges to elementary, middle, and high schools.

The following is a list of the best schools in the city if you’re moving to Lafayette, LA.

Best Elementary Schools in Lafayette, LA

  • Myrtle Place Elementary School
    Public, PK-5 | 350 students, Rating: 8/10

  • L.J. Alleman Middle School
    Public, 5-8 | 1,097 students, Rating: 8/10

  • Broadmoor Elementary School
    Public, PK-4 | 640 students, Rating: 8/10

  • Milton Elementary School
    Public, PK-8 | 1,102 students, Rating: 8/10

  • Corporal Michael Middlebrook Elementary School
    Public, PK-5 | 684 students, Rating: 8/10

Best Middle Schools in Lafayette, LA

  • David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy
    Public, 6-12 | 1,251 students, Ratings: 8/10

  • L.J. Alleman Middle School
    Public, 5-8 | 1,097 students, Ratings: 8/10

  • Milton Elementary School
    Public, PK-8 | 1,102 students, Ratings: 8/10

  • Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy
    Charter, K-8 | 929 students, Ratings: 8/10

  • Edgar Martin Middle School
    Public, 5-8 | 663 students, Ratings: 8/10

Best High Schools in Lafayette, LA

  • Early College Academy
    Public, 9-12 | 257 students, Ratings: 8/10

  • David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy
    Public, 6-12 | 1,251 students, Ratings: 8/10

  • Lafayette High School
    Public, 9-12 | 1,969 students, Ratings: 8/10

  • O. Comeaux High School
    Public, 9-12 | 1,381 students, Ratings: 8/10

  • Acadiana High School
    Public, 9-12 | 1,768 students, Ratings: 8/10

Best Universities and Colleges in Lafayette, LA

  • University of Louisiana at Lafayette

  • Louisiana Technical College Lafayette

  • South Louisiana Community College

  • Delta College of Arts & Technology

  • Remington College - Lafayette Campus

  • Acadiana Area Career College

  • South Louisiana Community College-Lafayette Campus

  • University of Phoenix-Louisiana

  • Unitech Training Academy

  • Louisiana Technical College

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lafayette Louisiana a good place to live?

Because of Lafayette's inexpensive cost of living, top-notch universities, and expanding economy, residents thrive. Lafayette will be a perfect choice for you if you're seeking for a community where enjoying life includes having access to delicious food, top-notch entertainment, rich culture, and cozy southern hospitality.

Is Lafayette LA expensive?

Housing costs in Lafayette are 29% less expensive than the national average, and utility costs are 10% less expensive. Gas prices and other transportation costs are 0% less than the national average. The cost of groceries is 0% cheaper in Lafayette than it is nationwide.

What is special about Lafayette Louisiana?

CNN has chosen Lafayette as one of the top American cities to experience French culture. Acadians who had been deported from Canada for maintaining their Catholic faith and speaking French established the region in the late 1700s.

What is the main industry in Lafayette Louisiana?

The oil and gas industry is rated as one of the largest industries in Lafayette. With hundreds of connected enterprises based in the parish, Lafayette is still the center of the oil and gas industry. Additionally, the city attracts businesses from many industries thanks to its highly qualified workforce.

Is Lafayette the happiest city in America?

Lafayette, Louisiana, is situated in the Acadiana Cajun and Creole section of the state and is referred to as the "Happiest City in America," the "Tastiest Town of the South," and a "Top Music Mecca."

Why is Lafayette so popular?

The French general Marquis de Lafayette was significant in the Revolutionary War. Against the British, he supported the colonists. He helped the Americans for free with both his time and money. He was regarded as a hero since he was able to assist the Americans in winning the war.

Does Lafayette get cold?

In Lafayette, the winters are brief, chilly, and windy, and the damp and partly gloomy weather lasts all year. The summers are lengthy, hot, and unpleasant. The temperature rarely falls below 30°F or rises over 95°F throughout the year, often fluctuating between 44°F and 91°F.

What is it like living in Lafayette Louisiana?

Residents in Lafayette enjoy a dense suburban vibe, and the majority own their homes. There are numerous restaurants and parks in Lafayette. Lafayette has a large population of families and young professionals, and its citizens typically hold moderate political views. Lafayette's public schools are better than average.

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