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Retirement community in Lafayette, Louisiana

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Lafayette, Louisiana Retirement Guide

61

Retirement Score

Lafayette, Louisiana at a Glance

Median Home Price
$234,200
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; partial pension exclusion.
Avg January Low
45.7°F
Cost of Living Index
90.5 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
61 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Lafayette, Louisiana, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
90.5 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$58,850High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Lafayette's cost of living is 9.5% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$234,200High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,012High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
56.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Lafayette using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$507

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$570

Median home price used: $234,200

Median rent reference: $1,012 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Lafayette, Louisiana after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
67.7 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
67.7 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
36.7 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Lafayette scores 67.7 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Lafayette

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Lafayette →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; partial pension exclusion.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Louisiana has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
Avg January Low
Annual Precipitation
Sunny Days / Year

With 312 sunny days a year and an average January low of 45.7°F, Lafayette offers a mild winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
63.4 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
24.5 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
1.8 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
121,706High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
36.9High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
16.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
6.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
40.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
61.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
29.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
5.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
2.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Lafayette

What is the cost of living in Lafayette, Louisiana for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 91, roughly 10% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $234,200.

Does Louisiana tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Louisiana residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; partial pension exclusion.

What is the climate like in Lafayette, Louisiana?▾

Lafayette, Louisiana has January average low around 46°F, July average high around 91°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Lafayette, Louisiana?▾

Lafayette scores 68/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a strong score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

BCM ADVISORS, LLC

Financial Advisor

APEX CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.

Financial Advisor

AVANT CAPITAL, LLC

Financial Advisor

+56 more financial advisors available

Interested in Lafayette? Talk to a Local Expert.

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