Lafayette LA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 102,866 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 59.1% | 54.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 24.4% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.7% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $52,512 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $29,511 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 22.6% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 29.4% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.7% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.2% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.3% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.6% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.2% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 21.6 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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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