Lafayette LA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 59.1% | 58.2% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 5.0% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $54,546 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $31,152 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.4% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 30.2% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $324,946 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 51.7% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 15.7% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 69.8°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 23.9 min | Lafayette + |
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, Tucson 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 Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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