How much does it cost to rent in Lafayette, LA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Lafayette, LA is $1,324. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Lafayette cheaper than other Louisiana cities?

Lafayette is among the more affordable cities in Louisiana, ranking #33 out of 46 cities at $1,324/mo.

When was Lafayette rent data last updated?

Lafayette rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · LA

Lafayette

Name: Average Rent Prices in Lafayette, LA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 121,715·33rd most expensive in Louisiana·Lafayette rents are up 5.1% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,324/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.1%

Month-over-Month

+0.5%

vs US Median

-$641

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Lafayette · $1,324

More affordable than 86% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

54/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 2% below what Lafayette's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,324/mo

Expected by trend

$1,354/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Lafayette's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$776

1 BR

$978

2 BR

$1,106

3 BR

$1,390

4 BR+

$1,828

Research median

$1,106/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$15,888/yr

At $1,324/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (5.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.1% YoY, +0.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Lafayette, LA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 41.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

121,715

Median income

$61,915

Median age

36.9

Renters

46.9%

Age distribution

20.9%

26.2%

23.1%

12.5%

17.3%

Under 1820.9%

18–3426.2%

35–5423.1%

55–6412.5%

65+17.3%

Gender

49%

51%

Male49%

Female51%

Race & ethnicity

57.1%

29.1%

White57.1%

Black29.1%

Hispanic8.1%

Asian2.2%

Other3.5%

Education (25+)

24.9%

41.1%

No HS diploma9.1%

HS diploma24.9%

Some college24.9%

Bachelor's+41.1%

Housing tenure

53.1%

46.9%

Owner53.1%

Renter46.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Lafayette, LA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,062 → $1,324

up 24.7%

Income

$55,329 → $61,915

up 11.9%

Population

122,469 → 121,715

down 0.6%

Renter share

43.7% → 46.9%

+3.2 pts

Bachelor's+

39.4% → 41.1%

+1.7 pts

Median age

36.3 → 36.9

+0.6 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Lafayette, LA paid around $1,062 a month. That figure now sits near $1,324, up 24.7% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $61,915 today, compared with $55,329 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has risen from 43.7% to 46.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Lafayette

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View Lafayette rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lafayette on your salary?

At $1,324/mo, how Lafayette rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $82,198/yr · Rent = 19.3% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $58,360/yr · Rent = 27.2% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $67,225/yr · Rent = 23.6% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $120,156/yr · Rent = 13.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $153,529/yr · Rent = 10.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $54,645/yr · Rent = 29.1% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $49,338/yr · Rent = 32.2% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $60,813/yr · Rent = 26.1% income

affordable

By apartment size

Lafayette rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Lafayette. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lafayette

About renting in Lafayette, LA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lafayette is $1,324/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $776/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,106/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $978/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,390/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($61,915/yr), Lafayette ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lafayette an affordable city for renters?

Lafayette is considered affordable for renters. At $1,324/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($61,915/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lafayette falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lafayette?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,324/mo in Lafayette. The local median household income is $61,915/yr, meaning the typical Lafayette household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lafayette?

Rent in Lafayette has increased 5.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Lafayette neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Lafayette are 70501 ($1,020/mo), 70503 ($1,310/mo), and 70508 ($1,386/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Lafayette is $1,324/mo.

How does Lafayette rent compare to other cities in Louisiana?

Lafayette is one of the more affordable cities in Louisiana for rent, ranking #33 out of 46 tracked cities at $1,324/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lafayette?

New Iberia is nearby and more affordable at $1,274/mo, which is $50 less than Lafayette.

What percentage of Lafayette residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.9% of Lafayette households are renters, while 53.1% are owner-occupied. Lafayette leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lafayette rent compare to the national average?

Lafayette's median rent of $1,324/mo is $641 (33%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Louisiana, it ranks #33 out of 46 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

26%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,324/mo, rent takes ~26% of Lafayette's median household income ($61,915/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lafayette 26%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1.85–4.25%

Run the Lafayette affordability calculator →

Nearby cities