Lafayette LA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 59.1% | 16.5% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.9% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $48,416 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $25,509 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 10.9% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 24.7% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 17.4% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $482,675 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 24.1% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.9% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.6% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.0% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 23.4% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.2% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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