Lafayette LA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 59.1% | 40.8% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 20.0% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $51,339 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $27,054 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.2% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 25.3% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 19.7% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $298,985 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 49.5% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.6% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.8% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 21.1% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.7% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.5% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 22.6 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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