Lafayette LA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 59.1% | 39.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.5% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $580,173 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 41.1% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 24.0% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 32.8 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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