Columbia, MO vs Lafayette, LA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Columbia
72.5
#873 nationally
Lafayette
73.6
#705 nationally
Columbia leads in crime level (9.5 vs 29.2). Lafayette leads in walk score (42 vs 30). Columbia leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 20.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lafayette, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.5 (#873) | 73.6 (#705) |
| Population | 129,330 | 121,467 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $327,680 | $227,080 |
| Median Household Income | $60,455 | $58,850 |
| Average Commute | 16.5 min | 20.4 min |
| Walk Score | 30 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 9.5 | 29.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 99 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.8 | R+31.4 |
C-
72.5 Score
Columbia, MO
Mid-size Missouri city with community character
Median Home
$327,680
Population
129,330
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
30
Midwest
View Columbia, MO →
C
73.6 Score
Lafayette, LA
Mid-size Louisiana city with community character
Median Home
$227,080
Population
121,467
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
42
Southeast
View Lafayette, LA →
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