Lafayette LA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 59.1% | 51.9% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 27.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $45,845 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $27,570 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.4% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 29.6% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 30.5% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 41.3% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Syracuse
16.1%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 41.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.8% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.7% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 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