Lafayette LA vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 79,255 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 28.6% | 27.7% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 5.0% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $59,808 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $30,004 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 38.5% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $264,994 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 49.1% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Lynchburg
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.1% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.1% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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