Living in West Lafayette, Indiana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of West Lafayette · Census data 2020–2024
West Lafayette has 45,159 residents with a median age of 21.4. The median household income is $34,891 (52% lower than the Indiana median), the median home value is $350,000, the median rent is $1,225/month.
West Lafayette at a glance
- Population
- 45,159
- Median age
- 21.4State: 38.1
- Median household income
- $34,891State: $71,957
- Median home value
- $350,000State: $218,200
- Median rent
- $1,225/moState: $1,062
- Homeowners
- 29.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 73.3%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is West Lafayette a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 16 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 52% lower than the Indiana median; home values 60% higher than the state median; unemployment of 4.5%; a poverty rate of 37.3%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in West Lafayette
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In West Lafayette the median home value is $350,000, 5% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,225 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,802 a month in housing costs.
West Lafayette median household income
The median household income in West Lafayette is $34,891 and the income per person is $24,882. 37.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Indiana: 12.3%).
Housing in West Lafayette: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 16,824
- Owner-occupied
- 29.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 70.6%
- Vacant
- 10.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1992
- Average household size
- 2.03
West Lafayette demographics
- Population
- 45,159
- Median age
- 21.4
- Under 18
- 8.3%
- 65 and older
- 7.4%
- Households
- 15,062
- Foreign-born
- 20.5%
- Veterans
- 1.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of West Lafayette ›
Education in West Lafayette
73.3% of adults 25 and older in West Lafayette have a bachelor's degree or higher (Indiana: 29.5%), and 44.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in West Lafayette
- Unemployment rate
- 4.5%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 15.1%
- Drive alone
- 48.3%
- Public transit
- 4.8%
- Walk to work
- 22.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.8%
West Lafayette vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Lafayette | 45,159 | $34,891 | $350,000 | $1,225 |
| Lafayette | 71,159 | $53,716 | $172,800 | $1,079 |
| Battle Ground | 1,969 | $110,568 | $277,600 | $765 |
| Shadeland | 1,921 | $82,708 | $270,000 | $1,121 |
| Otterbein | 1,576 | $63,698 | $158,500 | $926 |
| Dayton | 1,168 | $78,289 | $176,300 | $947 |
| West Point | 189 | $125,409 | $145,900 | — |
| Green Hill | 234 | $108,232 | $302,400 | — |
| Brookston | 1,530 | $63,182 | $158,500 | $969 |
More for people moving to West Lafayette
West Lafayette ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in West Lafayette: FAQ
What is the median household income in West Lafayette, IN?
The median household income in West Lafayette is $34,891, 52% 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 West Lafayette?
The median home value in West Lafayette is $350,000, compared with $218,200 in Indiana.
How much is rent in West Lafayette?
The median gross rent in West Lafayette is $1,225 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is West Lafayette, IN a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 16 minutes. Minuses: median household income 52% lower than the Indiana median; home values 60% higher than the state median; unemployment of 4.5%; a poverty rate of 37.3%.
What is the median age in West Lafayette?
The median age in West Lafayette is 21.4 years (Indiana: 38.1).
How long is the commute in West Lafayette?
The average commute to work in West Lafayette is 16 minutes; 15.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in West Lafayette?
The unemployment rate in West Lafayette is 4.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is West Lafayette?
73.3% of adults in West 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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