Aurora 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 121,537 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.1 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 6.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 15.8% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.1% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 7.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $61,454 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $39,861 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $55,297 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 19.1% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Aurora +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 643 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2824 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 34.5% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.0% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.8% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.1% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, 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.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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