Lafayette LA vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 92,577 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 40.0 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 59.1% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 28.6% | 11.1% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Roswell
$57,405
Roswell +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,405 | Roswell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $662,209 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.9% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 29.6 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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