Lafayette LA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 71,124 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 59.1% | 32.4% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.6% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $55,269 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $38,786 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 23.2% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 33.1% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $327,117 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 46.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Wilmington
18.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 41.0% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.7% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 25.0 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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