City Comparison
Kokomo vs Lafayette
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lafayette scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kokomo
Lafayette
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kokomo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Lafayette.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kokomo's average rent is
17% lower than Lafayette's.
| Metric | Kokomo | Lafayette | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,150 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,045 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lafayette offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kokomo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kokomo is estimated at
$45,000 vs $48,000 in Lafayette.
| Metric | Kokomo | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,048 idx | 68,539 idx |
| Household Income | $57,500 | $63,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Kokomo sees 0.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kokomo | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.60°F | 53.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | 84.10°F |
| Winter Low | 19.30°F | 20.00°F |
| Rainfall | 32.40 in | 29.40 in |
| Snowfall | 22.80 in | 22.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Lafayette scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lafayette leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kokomo | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lafayette is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Kokomo.
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 | Kokomo | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,610 | 72,323 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kokomo
Advantages
Median home prices are substantially lower than the national average, per recent Zillow housing data.
Major investments in EV battery manufacturing are driving modern industrial job growth in the region.
An affordable cost of living allows residents to enjoy strong purchasing power on housing and everyday goods.
Abundant local parks, sports complexes, and the Wildcat Creek trail system support an active outdoor lifestyle.
Convenient access via US-31 allows for easy commuting and travel to the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, making car ownership practically mandatory for daily life.
Local employment remains heavily tied to the automotive and manufacturing sectors, creating cyclical economic exposure.
Extreme winter weather conditions include regular snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring winter preparedness.
Entertainment and nightlife options are limited compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Average educational attainment rates trail national benchmarks in certain specialized technical fields.
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.
Kokomo
#216Indiana, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
52.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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