salaryRent is lower than in 68% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 16.4 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $52,640 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Indiana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Indiana. It is number 83 of 132 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Lafayette?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lafayette
| Size | Lafayette | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $920 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,026 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,222 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,392 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,557 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lafayette overall?
Everyday prices in the Lafayette-West Lafayette metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Lafayette
Life in Lafayette
What jobs pay in Lafayette
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $133,060 | 11.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,820 | 12.5% |
| Pharmacist | $122,990 | 12.8% |
| Lawyer | $100,650 | 15.7% |
| Operations Manager | $100,600 | 15.7% |
| Software Developer | $99,750 | 15.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,750 | 17.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $87,660 | 18.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $87,380 | 18.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,790 | 19.5% |
| Electrician | $78,540 | 20.1% |
| Accountant | $77,740 | 20.3% |
| Police Officer | $74,320 | 21.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,160 | 24.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,120 | 24.6% |
| Carpenter | $63,050 | 25.0% |
| Plumber | $62,780 | 25.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $61,430 | 25.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,590 | 26.5% |
| Truck Driver | $58,360 | 27.1% |
| Firefighter | $54,850 | 28.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,350 | 35.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,090 | 38.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,760 | 41.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,310 | 42.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,870 | 45.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,670 | 51.5% |
| Cashier | $29,540 | 53.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,420 | 55.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lafayette?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $117 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $172,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $17,280 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lafayette, IN?
Renting in Lafayette costs a median of about $1,316 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Indiana median is $1,219.
How much do I need to make to live in Lafayette?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $52,640 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lafayette cheap or expensive?
Lafayette is rated OK: rent takes 27.3% of the typical household income of $57,933. It ranks 83rd cheapest of 132 Indiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lafayette?
The median homeowner in Lafayette pays $1,117 a year in property taxes, about 0.65% of the median home value.
Is Lafayette more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Lafayette?
The median home value in Lafayette is $172,800, about 3.0 times the typical yearly household income.
71,159 people live in Lafayette. Numbers are typical (middle) values.