Lafayette LA vs Oxnard CA — 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%
Oxnard, CA
California · Population: 201,014
- Median HH Income$93,372
- Median Home Price$765,773
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Oxnard
201,014
Oxnard +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Oxnard
34.0
Oxnard +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Oxnard
33.8%
Oxnard +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Oxnard
36.9%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Oxnard
1.8%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Oxnard
6.6%
Oxnard +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Oxnard
77.0%
Oxnard +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Oxnard
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 201,014 | Oxnard + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.0 | Oxnard + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 33.8% | Oxnard + |
| White | 59.1% | 36.9% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.8% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 6.6% | Oxnard + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 77.0% | Oxnard + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Oxnard
$93,372
Oxnard +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Oxnard
$30,413
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Oxnard
$77,230
Oxnard +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Oxnard
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Oxnard
10.8%
Oxnard +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Oxnard
19.6%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $93,372 | Oxnard + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $30,413 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Oxnard + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 10.8% | Oxnard + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 19.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Oxnard
$765,773
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Oxnard
53.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $765,773 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 53.9% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Oxnard
503
Oxnard +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Oxnard
2388
Oxnard +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Oxnard + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Oxnard + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Oxnard
28.4%
Oxnard +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Oxnard
12.8%
Oxnard +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Oxnard
17.9%
Oxnard +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Oxnard
19.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Oxnard
15.6%
Oxnard +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Oxnard
12.0%
Oxnard +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 28.4% | Oxnard + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.8% | Oxnard + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.9% | Oxnard + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 19.2% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.6% | Oxnard + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.0% | Oxnard + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Oxnard
61.2°F
Oxnard +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Oxnard
15.3 in
Oxnard +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 61.2°F | Oxnard + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 15.3 in | Oxnard + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Oxnard
7.9 µg/m³
Oxnard +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Oxnard
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oxnard + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Oxnard
27.1 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Oxnard, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 27.1 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oxnard leads in median household income at $93,372, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Oxnard is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Oxnard has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oxnard scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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