Lafayette LA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 59.1% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 28.6% | 7.8% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.7% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $468,328 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 41.6% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.7% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.3% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 71.3°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 23.2 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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