Lafayette LA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 86,973 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 59.1% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.9% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.6% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $33,579 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 25.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $509,396 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.5% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 24.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Lafayette, LA vs New York, NYLafayette, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lafayette, LAHouston, TX vs Lafayette, LALafayette, LA vs Phoenix, AZLafayette, LA vs Philadelphia, PA