Lafayette LA vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lafayette
121,537
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 39.0 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 59.1% | 38.0% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 28.6% | 17.3% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Yonkers
35.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.4% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 35.2% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $685,544 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 47.2% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Yonkers
434
Yonkers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Yonkers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Yonkers
12.4%
Yonkers +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.7% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 37.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
Compare More Cities
Lafayette, LA vs New York, NYLafayette, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lafayette, LAHouston, TX vs Lafayette, LALafayette, LA vs Phoenix, AZLafayette, LA vs Philadelphia, PA