Lafayette LA vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 59.1% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 28.6% | 9.7% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $35,958 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.7% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 30.9% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 39.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.9% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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