Lafayette LA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 38.6 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 59.1% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 28.6% | 5.8% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.5% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $538,687 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 52.8% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3001 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lafayette +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 78.3 in | Lafayette + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 26.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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