Is Alexandria or Lafayette Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lafayette is safer than Alexandria (Safety Score 3/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 5,414 per 100,000 versus 9,310 for Alexandria — 42% lower. Alexandria has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Lafayette has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Lafayette is 2.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Alexandria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Alexandria, LA
Lafayette, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Alexandria | Lafayette | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 9,309.9 | 5,413.6 | +3,896.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 2,713.5 | 1,066.1 | +1,647.4 |
| Murder Rate | 37.3 | 14.8 | +22.5 |
| Rape Rate | 123.5 | 33.8 | +89.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 163.0 | 69.2 | +93.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 2,389.8 | 948.4 | +1,441.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,596.3 | 4,347.5 | +2,248.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 868.8 | 661.1 | +207.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 5,208.1 | 3,227.9 | +1,980.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 519.4 | 458.6 | +60.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alexandria or Lafayette safer?
Lafayette is safer with a total crime rate of 5,414 per 100K vs 9,310 for Alexandria — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Alexandria has a violent crime rate of 2,713.5 per 100K while Lafayette has 1,066.1. Lafayette has lower violent crime.
About Alexandria, LA
Alexandria, bisected by the Red River, is a Central Louisiana hub with a rich timber industry history. This parish seat serves a diverse population across Rapides Parish. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 42,933, Alexandria has a total crime rate of 9,309.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Lafayette, LA
Lafayette, at the heart of Acadiana, is a vibrant hub of Cajun and Creole culture, known for its lively music and food scene. Situated along the Vermilion River, it's the most populous city in the Lafayette metropolitan area. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 121,471, Lafayette has a total crime rate of 5,413.6 per 100,000 residents.