Lafayette LA vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 59.1% | 36.5% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 17.1% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $26,955 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 11.6% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 20.0% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 12.4% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $397,983 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Visalia
503
Visalia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Visalia
2388
Visalia +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Visalia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Visalia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.0% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 41.6 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Visalia is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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