Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 121,537 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.1 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 6.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 22.9% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.1% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 7.6% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $61,454 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $39,861 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.0% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.4% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.8% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.1% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 61.0 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Houston 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, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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