Allen 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Allen
55.7%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 6.6% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 10.6% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 2.1% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 7.6% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Lafayette
40.6%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $61,454 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $39,861 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.1% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 19.1% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 40.6% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 55.0% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Allen +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Allen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Allen +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 34.5% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.0% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 18.4% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.8% | Allen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 16.1% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 67.6°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 61.0 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Allen, 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
Allen
30.3 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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