Lafayette LA vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 68,141 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 42.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 59.1% | 17.9% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 5.3% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $523,551 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Vallejo
503
Vallejo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Vallejo
2388
Vallejo +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Vallejo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Vallejo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Vallejo
13.3%
Vallejo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Vallejo
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.3% | Vallejo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.6% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vallejo, CA | 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 36.0 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Vallejo is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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