Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Flint
34.4%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.1 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 34.4% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 56.6% | 28.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $55,297 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $225,222 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 643 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2824 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.8% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 67.6°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 61.0 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint 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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