Lafayette LA vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 102,583 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 38.6 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.2% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 28.6% | 10.2% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.9% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 5.3% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $313,200 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lee's Summit
2418
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | Lee's Summit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.5% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 26.9 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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