Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Arvada +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 121,537 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 37.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 82.8% | 59.1% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.1% | Arvada + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 7.6% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Lafayette
40.6%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $61,454 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $39,861 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $55,297 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.1% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 19.1% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 40.6% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 55.0% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Arvada +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 643 | Arvada + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2824 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 34.5% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.0% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.4% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 17.8% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.1% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Arvada is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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