Lafayette LA vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 59.1% | 43.2% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $374,265 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 43.5% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.7% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.7% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 23.6 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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