Lafayette LA vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 79,526 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 40.7 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 59.1% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 28.6% | 5.0% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 4.7% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $514,358 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.5% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 24.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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