Abilene TX vs Lafayette LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 121,537 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.1 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.6% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 59.1% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 7.6% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $61,454 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.1% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 19.1% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $225,222 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 55.0% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.0% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.8% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.1% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 67.6°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 61.0 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Lafayette
21.5 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 21.5 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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