Lafayette LA vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 6.2% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 28.6% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $60,487 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $34,629 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 34.9% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 50.8% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.8% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.5% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.6% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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