Lafayette LA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 38.2 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 5.3% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 28.6% | 9.7% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.8% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $55,902 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $33,290 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 29.1% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.7% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.4% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.9% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 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