Lafayette LA vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 59.1% | 57.0% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 14.2% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $58,407 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $37,533 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 33.3% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 52.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 37.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 14.4% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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