Is Covington or Lafayette Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Covington is safer than Lafayette (Safety Score 67/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,185 per 100,000 versus 5,414 for Lafayette — 78% lower. Covington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Covington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lafayette is 10.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Covington — 3-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Covington, LA
Lafayette, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Covington | Lafayette | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,185.5 | 5,413.6 | -4,228.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 171.8 | 1,066.1 | -894.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 14.8 | -14.8 |
| Rape Rate | 17.2 | 33.8 | -16.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.6 | 69.2 | -60.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 146.0 | 948.4 | -802.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,013.7 | 4,347.5 | -3,333.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.6 | 661.1 | -506.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 807.5 | 3,227.9 | -2,420.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 51.5 | 458.6 | -407.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Covington or Lafayette safer?
Covington is safer with a total crime rate of 1,185 per 100K vs 5,414 for Lafayette — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Covington has a violent crime rate of 171.8 per 100K while Lafayette has 1,066.1. Covington has lower violent crime.
About Covington, LA
Covington, a charming St. Tammany Parish seat, lies on the Bogue Falaya River. Established in 1813, it boasts a historic downtown with a vibrant arts scene and a population around 11,000. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 11,641, Covington has a total crime rate of 1,185.5 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.