Lafayette LA vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.7 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 3.8% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 39.9% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 3.1% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lafayette +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $51,090 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $32,893 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $51,690 | Lafayette + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 31.5% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 51.4% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Mobile
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 40.0% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.2% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Mobile
67.4°F
Mobile +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lafayette +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 67.4°F | Mobile + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 65.3 in | Lafayette + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 24.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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