Is Lafayette or Monroe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lafayette is safer than Monroe (Safety Score 3/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 5,414 per 100,000 versus 7,626 for Monroe — 29% lower. Lafayette has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lafayette has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Lafayette is 2.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lafayette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Monroe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, LA
Monroe, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lafayette | Monroe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,413.6 | 7,625.8 | -2,212.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,066.1 | 1,892.4 | -826.3 |
| Murder Rate | 14.8 | 15.1 | -0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 33.8 | 30.2 | +3.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 69.2 | 164.2 | -95.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 948.4 | 1,682.9 | -734.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,347.5 | 5,733.4 | -1,385.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.1 | 1,402.0 | -741.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,227.9 | 3,977.1 | -749.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 458.6 | 354.3 | +104.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or Monroe safer?
Lafayette is safer with a total crime rate of 5,414 per 100K vs 7,626 for Monroe — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 1,066.1 per 100K while Monroe has 1,892.4. Lafayette has lower violent crime.
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.
About Monroe, LA
Monroe, Louisiana, on the Ouachita River, is home to the University of Louisiana Monroe. This city in northeast Louisiana has a diverse population, including a significant African American community. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 46,290, Monroe has a total crime rate of 7,625.8 per 100,000 residents.