Lafayette LA vs Montgomery 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 5.5% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 27.7% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 4.8% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lafayette +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $55,687 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $32,068 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $51,690 | Lafayette + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 20.9% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 33.5% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 54.3% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 46.4% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.0% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Montgomery
64.5°F
Montgomery +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Montgomery
52.8 in
Montgomery +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 64.5°F | Montgomery + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 52.8 in | Montgomery + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 22.0 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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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