Lafayette LA vs New Braunfels TX — 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 Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
New Braunfels
8.2%
New Braunfels +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 267 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 39.4 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.2% | New Braunfels + |
| White | 59.1% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 28.6% | 0.0% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 0.0% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 15.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $74,643 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $21,360 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 1.8% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
New Braunfels
$352,129
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $352,129 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
New Braunfels
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 34.6% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.6% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 15.2% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.0% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
New Braunfels
67.4°F
New Braunfels +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 67.4°F | New Braunfels + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 34.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
New Braunfels
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
Lafayette, LA vs New York, NYLafayette, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lafayette, LAHouston, TX vs Lafayette, LALafayette, LA vs Phoenix, AZLafayette, LA vs Philadelphia, PA