Lafayette LA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 59.1% | 41.5% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $46,628 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $30,451 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.9% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 26.6% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 29.9% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $241,627 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 37.2% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 38.0% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.9% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.6% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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