Lafayette LA vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 59.1% | 48.7% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $57,673 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $35,074 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 37.2% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $419,326 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 54.6% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 9.6% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Wilmington
58.4 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | 58.4 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 23.2 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 398 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 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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