Lafayette LA vs New Haven CT — 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 59.1% | 36.8% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $53,771 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $34,482 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.7% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 25.0% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 37.7% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $330,564 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 28.4% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.9% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.9% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.7% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 47.1 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 23.0 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 Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 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