Salary Needed to Live in Lafayette as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $50,086/year to live comfortably in Lafayette, LA, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $50,086/year to live comfortably in Lafayette, LA. The bare-minimum salary is $43,408/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,061.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,713/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,174/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$50,086
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$43,408
$3,617/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,713
24% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Lafayette
| Expense | Lafayette | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $770 | $1,351 | -43% |
| Groceries | $252 | $207 | +22% |
| Utilities | $140 | $169 | -17% |
| Transportation | $269 | $316 | -15% |
| Car Insurance | $150 | $223 | -33% |
| Health Insurance | $577 | $672 | -14% |
| Internet | $56 | $65 | -14% |
| Phone | $73 | $85 | -14% |
| Dining & Social | $258 | $300 | -14% |
| Entertainment | $103 | $120 | -14% |
| Personal Care | $65 | $75 | -13% |
| Total Monthly | $2,713 | $3,583 | -24% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,713
Target savings (10%):$348/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,061
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$50,086
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$770
Studio/1BR rent is 28% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus LA state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$348/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
86/100
Lafayette is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $770/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $555/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $43,408/year as the survival floor and $50,086/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Lafayette
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Lafayette?
A single person needs approximately $50,086/year ($4,174/month gross) to live comfortably in Lafayette with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Lafayette?
A studio/1br in Lafayette costs approximately $770/month, which is the largest single expense at 28% of the total budget.
Is Lafayette affordable for a single person?
Yes, Lafayette is 24% more affordable than the national average for a single person.