Lafayette LA vs North Las Vegas NV — 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 Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
11.3%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 186,178 | North Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 39.0 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 59.1% | 43.6% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 11.3% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 34.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
North Las Vegas
$62,696
North Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
North Las Vegas
16.8%
North Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $58,874 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $35,069 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $62,696 | North Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 9.4% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 16.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 23.9% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
$407,146
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $407,146 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 41.2% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
North Las Vegas
460
North Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
North Las Vegas
2417
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 460 | North Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2417 | North Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
North Las Vegas
12.2%
North Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
North Las Vegas
16.1%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 33.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | North Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.7% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 19.6% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 68.8°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 24.6 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, North Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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