The core difference is what they’re made of. Laminate has a wood-fiber core with a printed image layer on top, giving it a slightly harder, more solid feel underfoot similar to real hardwood. Vinyl (including LVP) has a plastic-based core, giving it more flexibility and, in fully waterproof versions, real resistance to moisture that laminate can’t match.

That moisture difference matters most for room selection: vinyl is generally the safer choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, while laminate tends to do best in living rooms, bedrooms, and other dry areas of the home.

Cost-wise the two overlap quite a bit ($3–$13/sq ft for laminate versus $2–$14/sq ft for vinyl), so the decision usually comes down to where in the home it’s going and how much moisture exposure that room realistically gets, rather than price alone.