Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 121,537 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.1 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 6.6% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 23.7% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.1% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 7.6% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $61,454 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $39,861 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 19.1% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.0% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.4% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.8% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.1% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Dallas +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 67.6°F | Dallas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 61.0 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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