Is Lafayette or West Monroe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lafayette is safer than West Monroe (Safety Score 3/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 5,414 per 100,000 versus 7,042 for West Monroe — 23% lower. Lafayette has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lafayette has a 55% lower rate.
Note: Lafayette is 9.8x 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
West Monroe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, LA
West Monroe, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lafayette | West Monroe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,413.6 | 7,042.4 | -1,628.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,066.1 | 1,156.2 | -90.1 |
| Murder Rate | 14.8 | 8.1 | +6.7 |
| Rape Rate | 33.8 | 113.2 | -79.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 69.2 | 153.6 | -84.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 948.4 | 881.3 | +67.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,347.5 | 5,886.2 | -1,538.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.1 | 986.4 | -325.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,227.9 | 4,511.6 | -1,283.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 458.6 | 388.1 | +70.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or West Monroe safer?
Lafayette is safer with a total crime rate of 5,414 per 100K vs 7,042 for West Monroe — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 1,066.1 per 100K while West Monroe has 1,156.2. 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 West Monroe, LA
West Monroe, Louisiana, nestled on the Ouachita River's west bank, is a city with a rich timber heritage. Known as the home of the Duck Commander family, it shares a metropolitan area with Monroe. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 12,368, West Monroe has a total crime rate of 7,042.4 per 100,000 residents.