Duluth MN 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)
Duluth, MN
Minnesota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$292,800
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 121,537 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 59.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 28.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Duluth
$69,467
Duluth +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
40.6%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $61,454 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $39,861 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $55,297 | Duluth + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 40.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Duluth
$292,800
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $292,800 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
284
Duluth +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
1992
Duluth +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 643 | Duluth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2824 | Duluth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
35.1%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
10.0%
Duluth +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Duluth
17.7%
Duluth +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Duluth
7.3%
Duluth +
Lafayette
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Duluth
20.1%
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Duluth
15.1%
Duluth +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.0% | Duluth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.4% | Duluth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 8.3% | Duluth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.1% | 17.8% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.1% | Duluth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
39.7°F
Duluth +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
31.0 in
Duluth +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7°F | 67.6°F | Duluth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.0 in | 61.0 in | Duluth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Duluth +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Duluth
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Duluth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Duluth
N/A
Lafayette
21.5 min
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Duluth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Duluth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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