Lafayette LA vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 59.1% | 30.4% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 1.5% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $2,144,024 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 43.8% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Sunnyvale
503
Sunnyvale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Sunnyvale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 25.3 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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