Is Lafayette or Thibodaux Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Thibodaux is safer than Lafayette (Safety Score 16/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,232 per 100,000 versus 5,414 for Lafayette — 40% lower. Lafayette has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Thibodaux has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Lafayette is 7.8x 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
Thibodaux — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, LA
Thibodaux, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lafayette | Thibodaux | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,413.6 | 3,232.2 | +2,181.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,066.1 | 257.0 | +809.1 |
| Murder Rate | 14.8 | 6.4 | +8.4 |
| Rape Rate | 33.8 | 45.0 | -11.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 69.2 | 6.4 | +62.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 948.4 | 199.2 | +749.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,347.5 | 2,975.2 | +1,372.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.1 | 212.1 | +449.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,227.9 | 2,634.6 | +593.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 458.6 | 128.5 | +330.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or Thibodaux safer?
Thibodaux is safer with a total crime rate of 3,232 per 100K vs 5,414 for Lafayette — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 1,066.1 per 100K while Thibodaux has 257.0. Thibodaux 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 Thibodaux, LA
Thibodaux, Louisiana, nestled along Bayou Lafourche, is a small city in Lafourche Parish. Known for its Cajun heritage and as home to Nicholls State University, it blends academic life with a rich cultural tapestry. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 15,562, Thibodaux has a total crime rate of 3,232.2 per 100,000 residents.