Lafayette LA vs Oklahoma City 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%

Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma · Population: 688,693

  • Median HH Income$66,702
  • Median Home Price$207,961
  • Unemployment4.7%
  • Bachelor's+34.0%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Lafayette
121,537
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Oklahoma City
34.0%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min

Which City is Right for You?

Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Lafayette & Oklahoma City