($1,429) Movers From Lafayette, LA to New York City, NY

What to know before moving from Lafayette to New York City

Moving from Lafayette to New York City comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since New York City is generally more expensive than Lafayette, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in New York City are 54% higher than in Lafayette, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Lafayette.
  Home prices in New York City are 251.3% higher than in Lafayette.
• Income in New York City is 31.2% higher than in Lafayette, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in New York City include IBM, PepsiCo, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co..
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in New York City, since the cost of living for a single person in New York City is 218.4% higher than in Lafayette. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to New York City, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in New York City is 258.4% higher than in Lafayette.
• The unemployment rate in New York City is 93.10% higher than in Lafayette.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in New York City, since the city’s sales taxes in New York City are 15.34% lower than in Lafayette.
• State income taxes in New York City are 156.47% higher than in Lafayette.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $9,551.26 in New York City to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Lafayette.

How life is different in Lafayette vs. New York City

• The population of New York City is about 6,704% greater than Lafayette, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• New York City offers better access to buses and trains than Lafayette, based on public transportation ratings. New York City has a transit score of 10 out of 10 compared to 3 in Lafayette. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in New York City means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Lafayette. New York City is considered more walkable than Lafayette, with a score of 88 out of 100 versus 42 out of 100 in Lafayette. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, New York City is considered more bike-friendly than Lafayette in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. New York City has a bike-friendliness score of 69 out of 100, while Lafayette is rated as 47 out of 100.
• The crime rate in New York City is higher than in Lafayette, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 50.83 in New York City, it is 45.75 in Lafayette. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in New York City. With a crime index of 49.17, New York City ranks lower in overall safety than Lafayette, whose index is Lafayette's 54.25. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in New York City and Lafayette is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Lafayette vs. New York City move

• Weather: New York City tends to have chilly and damp winters and rather hot summers. New York City tends to have warm and humid summers with mixes of rain, and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The city is generally cloudy year-round. Temperatures typically vary from 26°F to 87°F. Temps are rarely below 10°F or above 95°F.
• HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations.Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a New York moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: New York doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to New York City. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in New York City

Ready to relocate to "Big Apple"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in New York City.

Helpful moving resources