Lafayette LA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.3 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 59.1% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 28.6% | 3.2% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 35.7% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $570,934 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 49.4% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.5% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.0% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.9% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 22.3 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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