Lafayette LA vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 59.1% | 50.7% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $55,931 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $35,704 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 23.2% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $293,664 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 39.5% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.3% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.2% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 67.6°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 58.1 in | Tallahassee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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