Lafayette LA vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 59.1% | 48.3% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 7.0% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $32,983 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.8% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 28.7% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $251,035 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 52.4% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 34.9% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.2% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 24.5% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 68.5°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 26.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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%.
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