Lafayette LA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 107,699 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.7% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 49.6% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 5.2% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $48,536 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $31,324 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $51,690 | Lafayette + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 23.8% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 38.1% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $231,461 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 45.1% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 42.6% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 21.3% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.5% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 55.0 in | Tuscaloosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
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, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Tuscaloosa 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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