Lafayette LA vs Lake Charles LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 81,679 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.7% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 47.3% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 4.7% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lake Charles
$55,297
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $56,864 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $35,847 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $55,297 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.5% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 23.2% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 29.4% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Lake Charles
643
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lake Charles
2824
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 643 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2824 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 45.6% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.2% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.7% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.6% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.0% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lafayette +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 62.4 in | Lafayette + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Lake Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lake Charles 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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