Lafayette, CA, exhibits a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average. The city's overall cost of living index stands at 157, indicating that it is 57% higher than the baseline average of 100. This elevated index primarily reflects the steep costs in housing, where expenses reach 257% of the national average.
Conversely, despite increases in other areas like groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses, they remain more affordable relative to the national figures. For example, housing costs are the most pronounced, but groceries and utilities also reflect moderate increases at 124% and 107%, respectively.
Lafayette, CA, presents a cost of living index that significantly exceeds the nationwide average in several areas. Housing in Lafayette, for instance, shows a steep increase with an index of 257. This means that housing costs are nearly 2.57 times higher than the national average. Such a significant difference can greatly affect individuals and families when budgeting for their living expenses.
In addition to housing, other key areas also demonstrate higher costs in Lafayette. The grocery index is at 124, indicating that grocery expenses are 24% above the national average. Utilities and transportation both show moderate increases with indices of 107 and 128, respectively, reflecting costs 7% and 28% higher than the average. Healthcare, at an index of 109, is slightly above the national average, with costs 9% higher. Miscellaneous expenses also rise, with an index of 128, meaning these costs are 28% higher than the national average. Overall, Lafayette's cost of living is notably higher than the national baseline in various important categories.
