City Comparison · 2026
Lafayette vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Lafayette = $152k in Chicago
Metric
Lafayette
Chicago
COL Index
✓0.91
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,050/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,320/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
LA
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$75,067
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓24.93%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$62,467
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Lafayette LA | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,279 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $75,067 $6,256/mo · 24.93% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $107,484 $8,957/mo · 28.34% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Lafayette has a cost-of-living index of 0.91 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Lafayette is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Lafayette is $1,050/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Lafayette?
$100k in Lafayette = $152k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 51.6%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Lafayette or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $75,067 in LA (Lafayette) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $62,467 in Lafayette vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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