Lafayette LA vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 39.3 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 59.1% | 53.2% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 9.0% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $507,575 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plano, 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plano, 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 27.6 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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