Lafayette LA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 75,721 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 59.1% | 48.7% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 2.2% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 6.8% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $765,686 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 45.2% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.1% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 25.4 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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