Lafayette LA vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 100,731 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 59.1% | 57.5% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 6.0% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.5% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $56,025 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $30,475 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 19.9% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 16.8% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $439,767 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 40.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.3% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 22.0% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.1% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 21.4% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 51.9 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 27.2 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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