Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 121,537 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 6.6% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 59.1% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.1% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 7.6% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Boise +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Lafayette
40.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $61,454 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $39,861 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $55,297 | Boise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.1% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 19.1% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 40.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 643 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2824 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lafayette
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 67.6°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 61.0 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Lafayette
21.5 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.5 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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