Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- 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
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | 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
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
40.6%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | 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 | $66,354 | $55,297 | Grand Island + |
| 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
Grand Island
$254,245
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 643 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2824 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.0% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 18.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.8% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.1% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 67.6°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 61.0 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Lafayette
21.5 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | 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, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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