Lafayette LA vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 59.1% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 28.6% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $37,897 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.7% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $264,711 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 52.7% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Norman
9.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.8% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.2% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 24.2 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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