Is Lafayette or Zachary Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Zachary is safer than Lafayette (Safety Score 31/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,358 per 100,000 versus 5,414 for Lafayette — 56% lower. Lafayette has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Zachary has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Lafayette is 6.0x 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
Zachary — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, LA
Zachary, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lafayette | Zachary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,413.6 | 2,358.3 | +3,055.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,066.1 | 337.6 | +728.5 |
| Murder Rate | 14.8 | 5.0 | +9.9 |
| Rape Rate | 33.8 | 19.9 | +13.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 69.2 | 24.8 | +44.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 948.4 | 283.0 | +665.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,347.5 | 2,020.7 | +2,326.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.1 | 268.1 | +393.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,227.9 | 1,534.1 | +1,693.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 458.6 | 218.5 | +240.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or Zachary safer?
Zachary is safer with a total crime rate of 2,358 per 100K vs 5,414 for Lafayette — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 1,066.1 per 100K while Zachary has 337.6. Zachary 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 Zachary, LA
Zachary, Louisiana, a city north of Baton Rouge, boasts a rich railroad history and a growing suburban population. Once a vital stop on the Illinois Central Railroad, it is now home to over 19,000 residents. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 20,142, Zachary has a total crime rate of 2,358.3 per 100,000 residents.