Lafayette Poised to Become the Next U.S. Powerhouse?

According to a recent article by Realtor.com, Lafayette is poised to become the next urban powerhouse among cities of its size. The report states that Lafayette has had a spike in new jobs, with many coming from the tech sector—about 60,000 in the past five years alone. That's an impressive feat for a city with a population of just over 270,000 and best known for its Cajun cuisine.

Unusual for this area, Lafayette has a plethora of recently built homes. While new home construction languished nationally from 2010 to 2013, after the financial crisis, Lafayette was putting up new places at more than double the national average pace—and it's only accelerated from there.

“Everybody likes to think the quality of life in their town is unique,” says Jim Bourgeois, Executive VP for business development at One Acadiana, formerly known as the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. “But this is a place that has a cultural identity that few others can claim."

Noted in the top ten ranking were:

1. Salisbury, MD - Population: 390,091 - Median home list price: $309,050

2. Lafayette, LA - Population: 270,691 - Median home list price: $210,050

3. Myrtle Beach, SC - Population: 265,100 - Median home listing price: $239,050

4. Gulfport, MS - Population: 385,448 - Median home list price: $192,550

5. Winston-Salem, NC - Population: 654,600 - Median home list price: $205,040

6. Grand Rapids, MI - Population: 1,028,173 - Median home list price: $288,950

7. Knoxville, TN - Population: 857,111 - Median home list price: $268,250

8. Daytona Beach, FL - Population: 613,723 - Median home list price: $279,050

9. Ogden, UT - Population: 632,793 - Median home list price: $359,950

10. Worcester, MA - Population: 930,667 - Median home list price: $299,950

Source: Realtor.com