Lafayette LA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 59.1% | 53.8% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 27.5% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $435,807 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 51.2% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.7% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 25.1 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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