Lafayette LA vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 59.1% | 36.8% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 12.4% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.2% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 36.4% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $480,548 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 51.5% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Sacramento
503
Sacramento +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Sacramento
2388
Sacramento +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Sacramento + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Sacramento + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.0% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 61.0°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 27.0 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Sacramento 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 Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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