Lafayette LA vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 102,558 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 59.1% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 28.6% | 12.9% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $58,568 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $31,987 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 25.0% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.4% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.8% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 16.9% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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