Lafayette LA vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 105,460 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.6 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.4% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.7% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 7.5% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $35,235 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 24.8% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $414,734 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.1% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 22.4 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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