Lafayette LA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.2 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 59.1% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.4% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $39,586 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 31.5% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $435,670 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.0% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 71.8°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 26.7 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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