Lafayette LA vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 59.1% | 50.8% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.7% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $34,656 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.3% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 20.3% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $447,353 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Modesto
503
Modesto +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Modesto + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.2% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.0% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.0% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 30.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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