Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 121,537 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.1 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 36.7% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 46.8% | 28.6% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 7.6% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $55,297 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $225,222 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 643 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2824 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.8% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 67.6°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 61.0 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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