El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 121,537 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 6.6% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 3.6% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 7.6% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 19.1% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 55.0% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 34.5% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.8% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.1% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 67.6°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 61.0 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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