Lafayette LA vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 59.1% | 25.0% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.7% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $51,211 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $32,314 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 22.5% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 28.2% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 46.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Memphis
639
Memphis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 639 | Memphis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 42.1% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.6% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.7% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.9% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 19.9% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Memphis
54.9 in
Memphis +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 54.9 in | Memphis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 22.9 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Memphis is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Memphis 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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