Lafayette LA vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.5 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 59.1% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 28.6% | 3.1% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.6% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 31.5% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $510,577 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 49.9% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Vancouver
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 36.2% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.4% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 25.1 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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