Lafayette LA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 59.1% | 36.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $60,698 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $37,669 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.4% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 22.0% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 34.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $233,814 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 52.3% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 34.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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