Lafayette LA vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 59.1% | 39.2% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 6.0% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $33,716 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 25.7% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $648,603 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Riverside
503
Riverside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Riverside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.7% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.5% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.6% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Riverside
66.8°F
Riverside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 66.8°F | Riverside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 34.1 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
Lafayette, LA vs New York, NYLafayette, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lafayette, LAHouston, TX vs Lafayette, LALafayette, LA vs Phoenix, AZLafayette, LA vs Philadelphia, PA