Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 121,537 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 37.1 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 6.6% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 22.4% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.1% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 7.6% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $61,454 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 19.1% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 34.5% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.0% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.4% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.8% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.1% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 67.6°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 61.0 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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