Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lafayette, LA
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 Lafayette leads 12 of 22 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
Warren
Michigan
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$61,633 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
138,588 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lafayette, LA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (6.1%)
More college-educated — 40.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 32°F
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Warren
Rent averages $117/mo less ($1,022 vs $1,139)
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
Median income trails Warren by $2,783/yr
Warren, MI
Pros
49% less violent crime than Lafayette
Homes cost $66k less ($169,300 vs $234,900)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 91°F
Households earn $2,783 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Lafayette
Higher unemployment (7.4% vs 6.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lafayette
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 87.0 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Lafayette
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
6.1% vs 7.4% unemployment
Lafayette
Summer Heat
7.5°F warmer
July avg high 91.0°F vs 83.5°F
Warren
Median Income
$2,783
$61,633 vs $58,850/yr
Warren
Violent Crime
49% lower
541.8 vs 1066.1 per 100k
Warren
Median Home Value
$66k less
$169,300 vs $234,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 87.0 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $234,900 | $169,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,022 ✓ Lower | $1,139 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,850 | $61,633 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.4 min ✓ Shorter | 25.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.4% | 8.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 251⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 281⚠ High | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 207⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 | 16.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.0% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 90.8% ✓ Higher | 86.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lafayette Parish | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 61.5°F ✓ Warmer | 32.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.0°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 64.7" | 29.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 27.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 121,706 | 138,588 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 71.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.2% ✓ More | 21.1% |
| Over 65 | 16.7% ✓ More | 16.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lafayette's cost of living index is 87.0 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Lafayette is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Lafayette leads 12 of 22 categories. Lafayette wins 12 and Warren wins 10. 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 Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($234,900 vs $169,300 median home), income ($58,850 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lafayette, LA and Warren, MI are about 984 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.