Lafayette 71 Excellent
Lafayette Livability #118 ranked city in Oregon#6,912 ranked city in the USARanks better than 76% of areas
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Lafayette

PROS
  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

What's it like Living in Lafayette?

Lafayette is a smaller city located in the state of Oregon. The city has a population of 4,353 inhabitants. In Lafayette, there are 4,857 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If we look at the most recent Census, Lafayette is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are American Indian and Alaskan and Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Lafayette are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 27% of the population also speak Spanish. An important consideration when living in Lafayette is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 31 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Lafayette, Oregon could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Finding the best places to live in Lafayette and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, cost of living, education, employment, housing and other important metrics.

With a livability score of 71/100, Lafayette is ranked #6,089 in the United States and #104 in Oregon. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Lafayette has higher than average grades for the following: crime (B), cost of living (B-) and employment (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Lafayette. The following was graded with a discouraging score: amenities (F).

When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In Lafayette, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 0.8% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Lafayette has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Assuming that Lafayette meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Lafayette. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Lafayette are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Lafayette come in at $481,126, which is 8.8% higher than the Oregon average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Lafayette, the home price to income ratio is 4.2, which is 25% lower than the Oregon average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Lafayette

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Lafayette?

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Compare Lafayette, OR Livability

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      Lafayette transportation information

      Statistic Lafayette Oregon National
      Average one way commute31min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.2%71.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.0%10.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.3%4.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%2.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%3.9%2.8%
      Working from home3.1%6.4%4.6%
      Source: The Lafayette, OR data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.