Salary & Cost of Living in Lafayette, CO
Lafayette, CO: $64,924 median salary, cost of living index 96.7, $14.42/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$64,924
$31/hr
Cost of Living
96.7
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.42
per hour
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Lafayette, CO Overview
Population
30,217
Median Salary
$64,924
Average Salary
$72,715
Avg Commute
21 min
Median Home Price
$435,000
Median Rent
$1,755/mo
Job Growth
+2%
Sales Tax
2.9%
Lafayette is located in Colorado with a population of 30,217. The median household salary is $64,924 per year ($31/hour), which is $5,540 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 21 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2%.
Lafayette Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Lafayette, CO based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $64,924 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $40,253 | $19.35/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $64,924 | $31.21/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $92,192 | $44.32/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $115,565 | $55.55/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Lafayette Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Lafayette, CO, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$51,203
$4,266.95/month · $1,969.36/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.1%
Gross Pay
$64,924
Federal Tax
-$5,897
State Tax
-$2,857
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,967
Net Pay
$51,203
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,410.33 | $64,924.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$491.44 | -$5,897.28 |
| Colorado State Tax (4.4%) | -$238.05 | -$2,856.66 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$335.44 | -$4,025.29 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$78.45 | -$941.40 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,266.95 | $51,203.38 |
Salary Comparison: Lafayette vs Other Cities
See how Lafayette's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, CO | $64,924 | 96.7 | $67,140 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Spokane Valley, WA | $64,922 | 123.1 | $52,739 |
| Desert Hot Springs, CA | $64,929 | 152.9 | $42,465 |
| Concord, CA | $64,895 | 143.2 | $45,318 |
| Lakewood, CA | $64,953 | 152.1 | $42,704 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Lafayette
Lafayette's cost of living index is 96.7 (national average = 100). Living in Lafayette is 3.299999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$435,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,755
Annual Rent Cost
$21,060
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $51,203 annual take-home pay in Lafayette has the purchasing power of approximately $52,951 in an average-cost US area. Your $64,924 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Lafayette
Lafayette's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $64,924.
Salary Tips for Lafayette Workers
- Research top industries. Lafayette's top industries include Technology, Aerospace, Energy. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $64,924 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Lafayette salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Lafayette-CO metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Lafayette indexed at 96.7.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Lafayette's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $64,924 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Colorado state income tax (4.4%) (no local income tax), sales tax (2.9%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Lafayette: 3.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Aerospace, Energy — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Colorado.
- Housing context: median home price $435,000, median rent $1,755/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Lafayette, CO:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Lafayette unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Lafayette QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Colorado — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Lafayette's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Colorado labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Lafayette, CO?
The median salary in Lafayette, CO is $64,924 per year, or $31 per hour. The average salary is $72,715. This is $5,540 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Lafayette, CO?
Lafayette's cost of living index is 96.7 (national average = 100), meaning it is 3.299999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $435,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,755.
What are the best industries in Lafayette?
The top industries in Lafayette, CO include Technology, Aerospace, Energy. The city has a job growth rate of 2% and an unemployment rate of 3.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $64,924.
How does Lafayette's salary compare to other cities?
Lafayette's median salary of $64,924 is 9.3% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 96.7), the real purchasing power is approximately $67,140.
What is the minimum wage in Lafayette, CO?
The minimum wage in Lafayette, CO is $14.42 per hour. This equals approximately $29,994 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $7.17 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.