Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 121,537 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 11.7% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 76.8% | 28.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 7.6% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $55,297 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $225,222 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 643 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2824 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 67.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 61.0 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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