Is Gonzales or Lafayette Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gonzales is safer than Lafayette (Safety Score 7/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,299 per 100,000 versus 5,414 for Lafayette — 21% lower. Gonzales has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Gonzales has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Lafayette is 8.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gonzales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gonzales, LA
Lafayette, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gonzales | Lafayette | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,299.0 | 5,413.6 | -1,114.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 364.7 | 1,066.1 | -701.4 |
| Murder Rate | 14.0 | 14.8 | -0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 42.1 | 33.8 | +8.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 63.1 | 69.2 | -6.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 245.5 | 948.4 | -702.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,934.4 | 4,347.5 | -413.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 224.4 | 661.1 | -436.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,373.3 | 3,227.9 | +145.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 336.6 | 458.6 | -121.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gonzales or Lafayette safer?
Gonzales is safer with a total crime rate of 4,299 per 100K vs 5,414 for Lafayette — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gonzales has a violent crime rate of 364.7 per 100K while Lafayette has 1,066.1. Gonzales has lower violent crime.
About Gonzales, LA
Gonzales, "Jambalaya Capital of the World," is a city in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. It lies on the Mississippi River's east bank, midway between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, with a population around 12,000. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 14,259, Gonzales has a total crime rate of 4,299.0 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.