Lafayette LA vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 59.1% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 28.6% | 22.5% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 4.2% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 19.5% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $240,538 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 47.2% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 25.0 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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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