Lafayette LA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 59.1% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $36,477 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 31.4% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $438,754 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3001 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 41.4% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.6% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 24.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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