Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 121,537 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.1 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 6.6% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 34.1% | 28.6% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.1% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 7.6% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Lafayette
40.6%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $61,454 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $39,861 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $55,297 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 19.1% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 40.6% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.5% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.0% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.4% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.8% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.1% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 67.6°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 61.0 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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