Lafayette LA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 3.8% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.3% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.7% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 5.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $45,984 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $30,864 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 19.4% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 30.3% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $245,279 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 42.9% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Springfield
2418
Springfield +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.7% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.0% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.0% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
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 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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