Moving to Lafayette
What you need to know before relocating to Lafayette, Louisiana. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.
Is Lafayette a Good Place to Live?
Lafayette presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: median household income ($57,311) trails the national median; violent crime rate (548/100k) exceeds the national average.
Lafayette at a Glance
Cost of Living in Lafayette
The median rent in Lafayette is $946/month, while the median home value is $219,700. With a median household income of $57,311, residents spend roughly 20% of monthly income on rent.
Overall, the Lafayette metro area is classified as affordable compared to other US metros.
Job Market
Lafayette has a median household income of $57,311, which is 23% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 3.2%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.
Safety in Lafayette
The violent crime rate in Lafayette is 548 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% above the national average of 380.
Property crime rate: 2630 per 100,000 residents.
Education in Louisiana
Louisiana has a high school graduation rate of 87% and per-pupil spending of $13,760/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1.
29% of Louisiana adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Healthcare Access
Louisiana has 276 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 11.4% uninsured rate, and 3.3 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Louisiana is 74.9 years.
Pros and Cons of Living in Lafayette
+Pros
- ✓Rent ($946/mo) is below the national average
- ✓Home prices ($219,700) are well below the US median
-Cons
- ✗Median household income ($57,311) trails the national median
- ✗Violent crime rate (548/100k) exceeds the national average
- ✗Longer-than-average commute (178092 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette a good place to live?⌄
Lafayette has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh median household income ($57,311) trails the national median and violent crime rate (548/100k) exceeds the national average against other lifestyle factors.
What is the cost of living in Lafayette?⌄
The median rent in Lafayette is $946/month and the median home value is $219,700. The median household income is $57,311. Overall the metro is considered affordable.
Is Lafayette safe?⌄
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 548 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.
What is the job market like in Lafayette?⌄
Lafayette has an unemployment rate of 3.2%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $57,311.