Lafayette LA vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 59.1% | 31.9% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $720,443 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 41.2% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Santa Rosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.4% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Santa Rosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 59.2°F | Santa Rosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 25.2 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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