Lafayette LA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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 Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 119,508 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 40.2 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 59.1% | 44.0% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.4% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 37.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $399,650 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 50.2% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 16.9% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Lafayette +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lafayette +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 75.4°F | Lafayette + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 62.3 in | Lafayette + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 25.0 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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