Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lafayette, LA
VS
San Bernardino, CA
🏆 Lafayette leads 13 of 22 categories
Lafayette
Louisiana
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
87.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,850
Violent Crime Index
281⚠ High
Population
121,706
San Bernardino
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,323 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
236⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
221,041 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lafayette, LA
Pros
Homes cost $112k less ($234,900 vs $347,100)
Rent averages $297/mo less ($1,022 vs $1,319)
21% cheaper overall cost of living than San Bernardino
More college-educated — 40.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (6.1%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (1066.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4347.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
San Bernardino, CA
Pros
16% less violent crime than Lafayette
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 62°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $347,100
Violent crime (897.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 21% higher than Lafayette
Property crime (2897.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Lafayette
Cost of Living
21% cheaper
COL index 87.0 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Lafayette
Median Home Value
$112k less
$234,900 vs $347,100
Lafayette
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
6.1% vs 7.6% unemployment
San Bernardino
Median Income
$2,473
$61,323 vs $58,850/yr
San Bernardino
Violent Crime
16% lower
897.1 vs 1066.1 per 100k
San Bernardino
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 95.4°F vs 91.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | San Bernardino, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 87.0 ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $234,900 ✓ Lower | $347,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,022 ✓ Lower | $1,319 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,850 | $61,323 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.4% ✓ Higher | 5.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 251⚠ High | 197⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 281⚠ High | 236⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 207⚠ High | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.0% ✓ Higher | 12.8% |
| High School or Higher | 90.8% ✓ Higher | 72.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lafayette Parish | San Bernardino City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 61.5°F | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 91.0°F | 95.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 64.7" | 21.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 121,706 | 221,041 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 31.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% ✓ Higher | 48.9% |
| Under 18 | 21.2% | 27.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.7% ✓ More | 9.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lafayette's cost of living index is 87.0 vs San Bernardino's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Lafayette is 21% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Lafayette leads 13 of 22 categories. Lafayette wins 13 and San Bernardino wins 9. 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 San Bernardino or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($234,900 vs $347,100 median home), income ($58,850 vs $61,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lafayette, LA and San Bernardino, CA are about 1,498 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.