Lafayette LA vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 114,080 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 59.1% | 51.9% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 6.8% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.9% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $35,655 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.5% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 18.3% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $253,423 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.4% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 25.4% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.1% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Odessa
65.6°F
Odessa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 65.6°F | Odessa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 23.7 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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