Living in Lafayette, Louisiana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Lafayette · Census data 2020–2024
Lafayette has 121,715 residents with a median age of 36.9. The median household income is $61,915 (about the same as the Louisiana median), the median home value is $257,000, the median rent is $1,100/month.
Lafayette at a glance
- Population
- 121,715
- Median age
- 36.9State: 38
- Median household income
- $61,915State: $60,756
- Median home value
- $257,000State: $216,500
- Median rent
- $1,100/moState: $1,064
- Homeowners
- 53.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41.1%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Lafayette a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income about the same as the Louisiana median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 5.2%; a poverty rate of 18.3%.
Cons: Home values 19% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Lafayette
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Lafayette the median home value is $257,000, 23% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,100 per month, which is 30.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,642 a month in housing costs.
Lafayette median household income
The median household income in Lafayette is $61,915 and the income per person is $40,517. 18.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Louisiana: 18.9%).
Housing in Lafayette: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 59,363
- Owner-occupied
- 53.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 46.9%
- Vacant
- 10.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1981
- Average household size
- 2.25
Lafayette demographics
- Population
- 121,715
- Median age
- 36.9
- Under 18
- 20.9%
- 65 and older
- 17.3%
- Households
- 52,966
- Foreign-born
- 7%
- Veterans
- 5.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Lafayette ›
Education in Lafayette
41.1% of adults 25 and older in Lafayette have a bachelor's degree or higher (Louisiana: 27%), and 13.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Lafayette
- Unemployment rate
- 5.2%State: 6.3%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 9.9%
- Drive alone
- 80.4%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 2%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.9%
Lafayette vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | 121,715 | $61,915 | $257,000 | $1,100 |
| Scott | 8,609 | $56,299 | $170,300 | $1,052 |
| Broussard | 14,322 | $116,179 | $310,200 | $1,010 |
| Milton | 2,793 | $105,625 | $264,800 | — |
| Ossun | 2,271 | $40,810 | — | $1,296 |
| Carencro | 11,619 | $63,401 | $214,800 | $944 |
| Youngsville | 17,427 | $105,876 | $287,700 | $1,278 |
| Maurice | 2,584 | $90,833 | $241,000 | $1,053 |
| Breaux Bridge | 7,501 | $47,806 | $175,900 | $891 |
More for people moving to Lafayette
Lafayette ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Lafayette: FAQ
What is the median household income in Lafayette, LA?
The median household income in Lafayette is $61,915, about the same as the Louisiana median of $60,756 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Lafayette?
The median home value in Lafayette is $257,000, compared with $216,500 in Louisiana.
How much is rent in Lafayette?
The median gross rent in Lafayette is $1,100 per month, about 30.4% of household income.
Is Lafayette, LA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income about the same as the Louisiana median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 5.2%; a poverty rate of 18.3%. Minuses: home values 19% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Lafayette?
The median age in Lafayette is 36.9 years (Louisiana: 38).
How long is the commute in Lafayette?
The average commute to work in Lafayette is 20 minutes; 9.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Lafayette?
The unemployment rate in Lafayette is 5.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Lafayette?
41.1% of adults in Lafayette have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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