High Point NC 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
High Point
46.1%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 6.6% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 32.7% | 28.6% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.1% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 7.6% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $55,297 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 19.1% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 55.0% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.4% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.8% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.1% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 67.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 61.0 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 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, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
High Point, NC vs New York, NYHigh Point, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs High Point, NCHigh Point, NC vs Houston, TXHigh Point, NC vs Phoenix, AZHigh Point, NC vs Philadelphia, PA