Lafayette LA vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 118,578 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 37.5 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 5.7% | Lafayette + |
| White | 59.1% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 28.6% | 14.9% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.3% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $265,013 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 46.8% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 42.7% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.8% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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