Lafayette LA vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 84,155 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 38.2 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 59.1% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 28.6% | 22.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 5.0% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $33,816 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.3% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 21.7% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Westland
471
Westland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Westland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 34.7% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 20.0% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.6% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Westland, MI | 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
Lafayette +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 27.0 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Westland is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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