Lafayette LA vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 51,054 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 59.1% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 28.6% | 16.9% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $57,688 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $35,780 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 9.4% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 23.8% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 36.8% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 36.8% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.6% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.1% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.7% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 22.7 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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