Lafayette LA vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 59.1% | 51.8% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 21.3% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $376,530 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 50.2% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 15.9% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 73.4°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 26.8 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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