Lafayette LA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 117,460 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 59.1% | 39.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lafayette +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $35,740 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $54,550 | Lafayette + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 28.0% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $313,219 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 48.5% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.2% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 15.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 19.8% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 26.8 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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