Lafayette LA vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 41.5 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 59.1% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 28.6% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 2.4% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $37,315 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.2% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 31.2% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $309,742 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.0% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 27.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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%.
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