Lafayette LA vs West Covina 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 107,436 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 40.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 59.1% | 20.0% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.1% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $38,100 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.2% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 29.8% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $851,613 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
West Covina
503
West Covina +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
West Covina
2388
West Covina +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | West Covina + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | West Covina + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.4% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Covina, 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
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 36.1 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, West Covina 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 West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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