Lafayette LA vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 59.1% | 44.0% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $37,433 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 32.7% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $310,519 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 45.7% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.9% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.9% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 24.4 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 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