Is Lafayette or Natchitoches Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Natchitoches is safer than Lafayette (Safety Score 3/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 5,276 per 100,000 versus 5,414 for Lafayette — 3% lower. Lafayette has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lafayette has a 50% lower rate.
Note: Lafayette is 7.2x 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
Natchitoches — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, LA
Natchitoches, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lafayette | Natchitoches | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,413.6 | 5,275.9 | +137.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,066.1 | 891.1 | +175.0 |
| Murder Rate | 14.8 | 29.5 | -14.7 |
| Rape Rate | 33.8 | 70.8 | -37.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 69.2 | 47.2 | +21.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 948.4 | 743.6 | +204.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,347.5 | 4,384.8 | -37.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.1 | 1,304.2 | -643.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,227.9 | 2,815.0 | +412.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 458.6 | 265.6 | +193.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or Natchitoches safer?
Natchitoches is safer with a total crime rate of 5,276 per 100K vs 5,414 for Lafayette — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 1,066.1 per 100K while Natchitoches has 891.1. Natchitoches 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 Natchitoches, LA
Natchitoches, Louisiana's oldest permanent settlement, sits on the Cane River Lake in central Louisiana. This historic city, known for its Creole architecture, has a population of around 17,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 16,945, Natchitoches has a total crime rate of 5,275.9 per 100,000 residents.