Lafayette LA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.3 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 59.1% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 28.6% | 10.5% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 33.5% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $496,966 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.3% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.7% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 31.1 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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