Lafayette LA vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 38.0 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 59.1% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.4% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $575,076 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Lakewood
512
Lakewood +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 512 | Lakewood + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3234 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.6% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 19.7% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 28.6 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Lakewood is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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