City Comparison
Lawrence vs Lafayette
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lafayette scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lawrence
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 Lawrence.
| Metric | Lawrence | Lafayette | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,150 | +9% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $2,045 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lawrence offers similar 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 Lawrence is estimated at
$52,000 vs $48,000 in Lafayette.
| Metric | Lawrence | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 68,539 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $63,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
For sunshine, Lafayette comes out ahead with 11 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lafayette sees 4.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lawrence | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | 53.80°F |
| Summer High | 83.70°F | 84.10°F |
| Winter Low | 20.90°F | 20.00°F |
| Rainfall | 42.10 in | 29.40 in |
| Snowfall | 18.30 in | 22.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lafayette has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Lawrence.
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 | Lawrence | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lafayette is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Lawrence.
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 | Lawrence | Lafayette |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,312 | 72,323 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lawrence
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain comfortably below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Direct access to the 1,700-acre Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park providing extensive outdoor recreation.
Convenient location just northeast of downtown Indianapolis offering easy commuting and metropolitan access.
Diverse and welcoming community with active local civic engagement and family-oriented neighborhoods.
Solid local educational options and proximity to top-tier higher education institutions in Marion County.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with limited public transit infrastructure outside of major commuter routes.
Crime rates in certain pockets of the city require careful neighborhood selection for prospective residents.
Property tax rates in Marion County can occasionally offset some of the savings from lower home purchase prices.
Retail and dining options within city limits are somewhat limited compared to central Indianapolis.
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and snowfall averaging around 18 inches annually.
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.
Lawrence
#352Indiana, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
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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