Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lafayette, LA
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Lafayette leads 12 of 23 categories
Lafayette
Louisiana
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
87.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,850
Violent Crime Index
281⚠ High
Population
121,706
Seattle
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lafayette, LA
Pros
Homes cost $645k less ($234,900 vs $879,900)
Rent averages $923/mo less ($1,022 vs $1,945)
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Seattle
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 47°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 87.0)
Cons
Median income trails Seattle by $57,218/yr
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
Higher unemployment (6.1% vs 4.2%)
Seattle, WA
Pros
Households earn $57,218 more per year on average
27% less violent crime than Lafayette
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (4.2%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 91°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Higher rents — median is $1,945/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Lafayette
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Lafayette
Cost of Living
26% cheaper
COL index 87.0 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Lafayette
Median Home Value
$645k less
$234,900 vs $879,900
Lafayette
Summer Heat
14.5°F warmer
July avg high 91.0°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$57,218
$116,068 vs $58,850/yr
Seattle
Violent Crime
27% lower
775.1 vs 1066.1 per 100k
Seattle
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
4.2% vs 6.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 87.0 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $234,900 ✓ Lower | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,022 ✓ Lower | $1,945⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,850 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.4% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 251⚠ High | 218⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 281⚠ High | 204⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 207⚠ High ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.0% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.8% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lafayette Parish | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 61.5°F ✓ Warmer | 47.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.0°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 64.7" | 38.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 121,706 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% ✓ Higher | 44.5% |
| Under 18 | 21.2% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 16.7% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lafayette's cost of living index is 87.0 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Lafayette is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lafayette leads 12 of 23 categories. Lafayette wins 12 and Seattle wins 11. 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 Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($234,900 vs $879,900 median home), income ($58,850 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lafayette, LA and Seattle, WA are about 2,005 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.