Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lafayette, LA
VS
Minneapolis, MN
🏆 Lafayette leads 14 of 22 categories
Lafayette
Louisiana
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
87.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,850
Violent Crime Index
281⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
121,706
Minneapolis
Minnesota
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,332 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lafayette, LA
Pros
Homes cost $94k less ($234,900 vs $328,700)
8% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Rent averages $245/mo less ($1,022 vs $1,267)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Minneapolis
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 22°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 87.0)
Cons
Violent crime (1066.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Minneapolis by $17,482/yr
Property crime (4347.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Households earn $17,482 more per year on average
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 91°F
Smaller class sizes — 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $328,700
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Lafayette
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Lafayette
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 87.0 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Lafayette
Violent Crime
8% lower
1066.1 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Lafayette
Median Home Value
$94k less
$234,900 vs $328,700
Lafayette
Summer Heat
7.9°F warmer
July avg high 91.0°F vs 83.1°F
Minneapolis
Median Income
$17,482
$76,332 vs $58,850/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 87.0 ✓ Cheaper | 104.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $234,900 ✓ Lower | $328,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,022 ✓ Lower | $1,267 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,850 | $76,332 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter | 22.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.4% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 251⚠ High ✓ Safer | 281⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 281⚠ High ✓ Safer | 305⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 207⚠ High ✓ Safer | 245⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.0% | 53.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.8% | 90.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lafayette Parish | Minneapolis Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 61.5°F ✓ Warmer | 21.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.0°F ✓ Warmer | 83.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 64.7" | 33.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 40.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 121,706 | 426,877 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% ✓ Higher | 48.1% |
| Under 18 | 21.2% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 16.7% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lafayette's cost of living index is 87.0 vs Minneapolis's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Lafayette is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Lafayette leads 14 of 22 categories. Lafayette wins 14 and Minneapolis wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Lafayette to Minneapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($234,900 vs $328,700 median home), income ($58,850 vs $76,332), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lafayette, LA and Minneapolis, MN are about 1,022 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.