Is Lafayette or Sulphur Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sulphur is safer than Lafayette (Safety Score 15/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,292 per 100,000 versus 5,414 for Lafayette — 39% lower. Lafayette has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Sulphur has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Lafayette is 6.1x 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
Sulphur — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, LA
Sulphur, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lafayette | Sulphur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,413.6 | 3,292.4 | +2,121.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,066.1 | 375.9 | +690.3 |
| Murder Rate | 14.8 | 10.0 | +4.8 |
| Rape Rate | 33.8 | 35.1 | -1.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 69.2 | 45.1 | +24.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 948.4 | 285.6 | +662.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,347.5 | 2,916.6 | +1,431.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.1 | 456.0 | +205.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,227.9 | 2,315.2 | +912.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 458.6 | 145.3 | +313.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or Sulphur safer?
Sulphur is safer with a total crime rate of 3,292 per 100K vs 5,414 for Lafayette — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 1,066.1 per 100K while Sulphur has 375.9. Sulphur 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 Sulphur, LA
Sulphur, Louisiana, nestled in Calcasieu Parish near the Texas border, grew around its sulfur mining industry. This industrial city of over 20,000 residents reflects a blend of Cajun heritage and petrochemical influence. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 19,955, Sulphur has a total crime rate of 3,292.4 per 100,000 residents.