Lafayette LA vs St. Charles 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
St. Charles
7.7%
St. Charles +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 71,542 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.9 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.2% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 28.6% | 6.7% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.4% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 7.7% | St. Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $55,578 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $31,499 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 22.7% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
St. Charles
2418
St. Charles +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | St. Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.9% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | St. Charles, MO | 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
Lafayette +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | St. Charles, 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Lafayette, LA vs New York, NYLafayette, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lafayette, LAHouston, TX vs Lafayette, LALafayette, LA vs Phoenix, AZLafayette, LA vs Philadelphia, PA