Lafayette LA vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Lansing
56.1%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 112,546 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 59.1% | 56.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 23.4% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $52,170 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $29,894 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 19.9% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 29.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 53.9% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Lansing
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.9% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.6% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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