Lafayette LA vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 82,506 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 48.4 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 59.1% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 28.6% | 8.8% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $60,465 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $36,322 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 26.8% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $312,001 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 38.9% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 16.4% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lakeland +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 72.6°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 54.8 in | Lakeland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 25.6 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, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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