Lafayette LA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 28,542 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 42.3 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 59.1% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 28.6% | 3.1% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 4.7% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $321,835 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 38.6% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.2% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.7% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.9% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 26.2 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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