Living in Lafayette, Indiana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Lafayette · Census data 2020–2024
Lafayette has 71,159 residents with a median age of 33. The median household income is $53,716 (25% lower than the Indiana median), the median home value is $172,800, the median rent is $1,079/month.
Lafayette at a glance
- Population
- 71,159
- Median age
- 33State: 38.1
- Median household income
- $53,716State: $71,957
- Median home value
- $172,800State: $218,200
- Median rent
- $1,079/moState: $1,062
- Homeowners
- 46.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27.9%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Lafayette a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 21% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%.
Cons: Median household income 25% lower than the Indiana median; a poverty rate of 17.8%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Lafayette
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Lafayette the median home value is $172,800, 48% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,079 per month, which is 31% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,110 a month in housing costs.
Lafayette median household income
The median household income in Lafayette is $53,716 and the income per person is $30,390. 17.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Indiana: 12.3%).
Housing in Lafayette: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 34,079
- Owner-occupied
- 46.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 53.3%
- Vacant
- 5.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1971
- Average household size
- 2.16
Lafayette demographics
- Population
- 71,159
- Median age
- 33
- Under 18
- 23.4%
- 65 and older
- 13.7%
- Households
- 32,242
- Foreign-born
- 10.9%
- Veterans
- 5.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Lafayette ›
Education in Lafayette
27.9% of adults 25 and older in Lafayette have a bachelor's degree or higher (Indiana: 29.5%), and 9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Lafayette
- Unemployment rate
- 3.6%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 8%
- Drive alone
- 79.6%
- Public transit
- 2.2%
- Walk to work
- 1.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.4%
Lafayette vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | 71,159 | $53,716 | $172,800 | $1,079 |
| West Lafayette | 45,159 | $34,891 | $350,000 | $1,225 |
| Dayton | 1,168 | $78,289 | $176,300 | $947 |
| Shadeland | 1,921 | $82,708 | $270,000 | $1,121 |
| Battle Ground | 1,969 | $110,568 | $277,600 | $765 |
| Stockwell | 286 | $60,988 | $105,900 | — |
| West Point | 189 | $125,409 | $145,900 | — |
| Romney | 391 | $63,578 | $161,000 | — |
| Mulberry | 1,265 | $58,950 | $142,900 | $781 |
More for people moving to Lafayette
Lafayette ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Lafayette: FAQ
What is the median household income in Lafayette, IN?
The median household income in Lafayette is $53,716, 25% lower than the Indiana median of $71,957 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Lafayette?
The median home value in Lafayette is $172,800, compared with $218,200 in Indiana.
How much is rent in Lafayette?
The median gross rent in Lafayette is $1,079 per month, about 31% of household income.
Is Lafayette, IN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 21% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%. Minuses: median household income 25% lower than the Indiana median; a poverty rate of 17.8%.
What is the median age in Lafayette?
The median age in Lafayette is 33 years (Indiana: 38.1).
How long is the commute in Lafayette?
The average commute to work in Lafayette is 16 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Lafayette?
The unemployment rate in Lafayette is 3.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Lafayette?
27.9% of adults in Lafayette have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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