City Comparison
Terre Haute vs Lafayette
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lafayette scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Terre Haute
Lafayette
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Terre Haute is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Lafayette.
Housing costs are a major driver: Terre Haute's average rent is
26% lower than Lafayette's.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Lafayette | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,150 | -26% |
| Groceries | $350 | $380 | -8% |
| Utilities | $165 | $175 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $230 | -9% |
| Monthly Total | $1,685 | $2,045 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lafayette offers 15% 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 Terre Haute is estimated at
$42,000 vs $48,000 in Lafayette.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 68,539 idx |
| Household Income | $47,500 | $63,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lafayette sees 4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.20°F | 53.80°F |
| Summer High | 84.50°F | 84.10°F |
| Winter Low | 21.70°F | 20.00°F |
| Rainfall | 39.70 in | 29.40 in |
| Snowfall | 18.60 in | 22.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | 251 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 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 | Terre Haute | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lafayette is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Terre Haute.
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 | Terre Haute | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,380 | 72,323 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Terre Haute
Advantages
Median home prices in Terre Haute are substantially lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
The city features multiple reputable higher education institutions including Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman.
An affordable cost of living allows residents to stretch their household budgets further compared to major metro areas.
A manageable average commute time reduces daily transit stress for local workers.
Ongoing downtown revitalization projects are bringing new dining, retail, and entertainment options to the city core.
Drawbacks
Average local salaries lag behind national medians, reflecting the regional economic structure.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily errands and commuting.
Job growth rates in certain high-tech sectors are slower compared to major national innovation hubs.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for harsh seasonal weather conditions.
Certain neighborhoods face economic transition challenges that impact local property values and safety metrics.
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.
Terre Haute
#413Indiana, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
55.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
70
Business
63
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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