Lafayette LA vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 59.1% | 35.5% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 21.4% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $29,766 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 20.1% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $466,147 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Lancaster
503
Lancaster +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Lancaster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.3% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.9% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 33.0 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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