City Comparison
Hammond vs Lafayette
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lafayette scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hammond
Lafayette
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lafayette is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Hammond.
| Metric | Hammond | Lafayette | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,150 | +9% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $2,045 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lafayette offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lafayette delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hammond is estimated at
$48,000 vs $48,000 in Lafayette.
| Metric | Hammond | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 68,539 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $63,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Hammond sees 5.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hammond | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 53.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | 84.10°F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | 20.00°F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | 29.40 in |
| Snowfall | 28.20 in | 22.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lafayette has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Hammond.
Hammond scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hammond leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hammond | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hammond is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Lafayette.
From a growth perspective, Lafayette is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hammond | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,879 | 72,323 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hammond
Advantages
Significantly lower housing and cost of living compared to nearby Chicago
Excellent commuter rail access via the South Shore Line
Abundant recreational opportunities at Wolf Lake and Hammond Marina
Presence of Purdue University Northwest fostering educational and cultural vitality
Strategic location with robust highway and freight logistics infrastructure
Drawbacks
Property tax rates can fluctuate based on local municipal and school district bonds
Certain commercial corridors experience higher property vacancy rates requiring ongoing revitalization
Winters can be harsh with significant snowfall driven by lake-effect weather patterns
Industrial legacy requires continuous environmental monitoring and remediation efforts
Average household incomes trail the broader national metropolitan average
Lafayette
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain significantly below the national US average per Zillow and HUD data.
Robust local manufacturing and engineering job sectors anchored by Subaru of Indiana Automotive and Caterpillar.
Proximity to Purdue University brings cultural events, Big Ten athletics, and continuous economic innovation.
Manageable average commute times under 20 minutes compared to major metropolitan congestion.
Extensive parks and recreation network including Columbian Park and Wabash River trail systems.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with limited rapid transit options outside of local bus routes.
Sub-freezing winter temperatures and seasonal snowfall require ongoing municipal snow removal management.
Wage growth has occasionally lagged behind sudden spikes in housing demand near the university border.
Local entertainment and dining options are more limited compared to nearby Indianapolis or Chicago.
Property tax rates in certain expanding school districts can offset some overall cost of living savings.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hammond
#401Indiana, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
Lafayette
#156Indiana, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
70
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