Welcome to Lafayette, Louisiana, where Cajun culture and contemporary living come together in the heart of Acadiana. This welcoming city offers renters a range of options, with average rent prices from $706 for studios to $1,533 for three-bedroom homes, showing modest annual increases around 2-3%. The rental market spans from apartments near Johnston Street to residential communities near the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus. Notable areas include the historic Downtown Lafayette district with its preserved architecture, and the River Ranch area, featuring shops and restaurants within walking distance.
Lafayette celebrates its heritage through food, music, and community gatherings. The Vermilion River provides a natural backdrop for outdoor recreation, winding through neighborhoods and parks. The presence of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette adds to the city's educational and cultural landscape. The annual Festival International de Louisiane showcases the region's French heritage through music and arts performances. Originally named Vermilionville in 1821, Lafayette received its current name in 1884 in honor of General Lafayette. Today, the city maintains its Cajun and Creole traditions while offering modern amenities and conveniences that appeal to renters seeking a distinctive Southern community.
Downtown Lafayette is a vibrant community with culture and arts, dining, and nightlife.
Boats anchored at the shore await their turn for an adventurous swamp tour in Lafayette.
Many residents of Lafayette ride bicycles around the downtown area.
As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Lafayette, LA is $703 for a studio, $998 for one bedroom, $1,175 for two bedrooms, and $1,599 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Lafayette has increased by 1.9% in the past year.
The cost of living in Lafayette, LA is 12.3% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Lafayette is 36.4% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $703 - $1,599. You can expect to pay 2.4% less for groceries, 11.5% less for utilities, and 0.2% less for transportation.
If you love Mardi Gras, live somewhere that shares your passion! Explore other cities that host the biggest celebrations in the U.S.
Somewhat Walkable
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.
Bikeable
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.
Public
Grades PK-8
1,332 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
801 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
519 Students
Myrtle Place Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
372 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
890 Students
David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy
Public
Grades 6-12
1,388 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
1,332 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
490 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
952 Students
Public
Grades 5-8
680 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
245 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,852 Students
David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy
Public
Grades 6-12
1,388 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,813 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,098 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2025. All rights reserved.
21
Communities
3,778
Units
11
Cities
189
Communities
45,975
Units
106
Cities
28
Communities
5,698
Units
11
Cities
389
Communities
106,118
Units
239
Cities
23
Communities
4,561
Units
12
Cities
62
Communities
21,485
Units
45
Cities
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.
