Who Should NOT Move to Lafayette?
Lafayette, LA probably isn't the right fit for movers who need the lowest possible crime exposure; who need the lowest possible combined tax burden overall; who need zero hurricane-related planning; or who need to avoid researching a documented August 2016 flood history for Vermilion River-adjacent property.
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Learn moreAnyone Who Needs the Lowest Possible Crime Exposure
NeighborhoodScout's own figures place Lafayette's crime rate higher than approximately 97% of Louisiana communities. Movers who specifically need the lowest possible crime exposure should weigh this real, disclosed figure seriously before committing.
Anyone Who Needs the Lowest Possible Combined Tax Burden
While Louisiana's income tax is genuinely low (a flat 3%), the state's combined sales tax rate (10.11%) is the highest in the nation. Movers who specifically need the lowest possible OVERALL tax burden -- not just the lowest income tax -- should weigh this real, disclosed combined picture honestly.
Anyone Who Needs Zero Hurricane-Related Planning
Even though Lafayette sits genuinely further inland and at higher ground than coastal Louisiana, it still experienced real, documented inland wind and rain impacts from Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020. Movers who need to avoid hurricane-season planning entirely should weigh this real, disclosed exposure seriously.
Anyone Purchasing Vermilion River-Adjacent Property Without Confirming Flood Risk
Lafayette's Vermilion River carries a real, documented flood history -- the August 2016 storm that flooded approximately 5,000 area homes. Movers considering a Vermilion River-adjacent or low-lying property who are not prepared to confirm current FEMA flood-zone status directly should weigh this real, disclosed history seriously before committing.
Key takeaways
- Anyone who needs the lowest possible crime exposure -- Lafayette's real, elevated crime rate relative to other Louisiana communities is a disclosed fact.
- Anyone who needs the lowest possible OVERALL tax burden, given Louisiana's real, nation-highest combined sales tax rate despite its low income tax.
- Anyone who needs to avoid hurricane-season planning entirely, given Lafayette's real, documented inland wind/rain exposure from Laura and Delta (2020).
- Anyone considering Vermilion River-adjacent property who is not prepared to confirm current flood-zone status, given the real, documented August 2016 flood.
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