salaryRent is lower than in 55% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 9.3 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 16.1 minutes. Most households rent (71%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 73.3% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,960 a year. That is $30 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 106 of 132 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in West Lafayette?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in West Lafayette
| Size | West Lafayette | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,126 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,256 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,392 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,711 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,976 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is West 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 West Lafayette
Life in West Lafayette
What jobs pay in West Lafayette
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $133,060 | 14.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,820 | 14.7% |
| Pharmacist | $122,990 | 15.1% |
| Lawyer | $100,650 | 18.5% |
| Operations Manager | $100,600 | 18.5% |
| Software Developer | $99,750 | 18.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,750 | 20.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $87,660 | 21.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $87,380 | 21.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $80,790 | 23.0% |
| Electrician | $78,540 | 23.7% |
| Accountant | $77,740 | 23.9% |
| Police Officer | $74,320 | 25.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,160 | 28.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,120 | 29.0% |
| Carpenter | $63,050 | 29.5% |
| Plumber | $62,780 | 29.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $61,430 | 30.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,590 | 31.2% |
| Truck Driver | $58,360 | 31.9% |
| Firefighter | $54,850 | 33.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,350 | 41.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,090 | 45.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,760 | 49.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,310 | 49.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,870 | 53.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,670 | 60.6% |
| Cashier | $29,540 | 62.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,420 | 65.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in West Lafayette?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $880 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $350,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $35,000 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in West Lafayette, IN?
Renting in West Lafayette costs a median of about $1,549 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Indiana median is $1,219.
How much do I need to make to live in West Lafayette?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,960 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is West Lafayette cheap or expensive?
West Lafayette is rated Expensive: rent takes 49.4% of the typical household income of $37,630. It ranks 106th cheapest of 132 Indiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in West Lafayette?
The median homeowner in West Lafayette pays $2,877 a year in property taxes, about 0.82% of the median home value.
Is West 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 West Lafayette?
The median home value in West Lafayette is $350,000, about 9.3 times the typical yearly household income.
45,159 people live in West Lafayette. Numbers are typical (middle) values.