Lafayette LA vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 59.1% | 45.5% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 18.1% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.1% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.6% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 32.1% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pasadena, 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 +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 36.1 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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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