Lafayette

The picturesque Wabash River along Downtown Lafayette is the perfect place to watch the sunset.
The picturesque Wabash River along Downtown Lafayette is the perfect place to watch the sunset.
Purdue University is just over the Wabash River from Lafayette, Indiana.
Homes in Ellsworth Romig boast beautiful and creative colors.

Lafayette, IN Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,074

Population

72,137

Renter Mix

54% Rent

A lively Indiana college town with a bustling historic district

College Town Affordable Lively Riverside Public Transit

Located along the Wabash River, Lafayette combines historic charm with contemporary living options. From downtown apartments in restored buildings to peaceful suburban communities, the city offers diverse housing choices. One-bedroom apartments average $1,010 monthly, while two-bedroom units average $1,216, showing a 2.6% year-over-year increase. The downtown district features preserved 19th-century architecture, local shops, and Riehle Plaza, where residents gather for the seasonal farmers' market and community events. Columbian Park serves as a central recreational destination, complete with a zoo, playground areas, and walking paths.

Lafayette's economy thrives with major employers like Subaru of Indiana Automotive and Wabash National. The city's connection to neighboring Purdue University adds educational and cultural dimensions to the community. Local history comes alive at the annual Feast of the Hunters' Moon festival at Fort Ouiatenon, celebrating the area's French colonial heritage. Notable areas include Ninth Street Hill, showcasing preserved Victorian architecture, Highland Park with its established residential streets, and Glen Acres, each offering distinct rental opportunities.

Explore the City

Purdue University is just over the Wabash River from Lafayette, Indiana.

Homes in Ellsworth Romig boast beautiful and creative colors.

The picturesque Wabash River along Downtown Lafayette is the perfect place to watch the sunset.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$48,070

Average: $61,273

Education

17,538

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

37,585

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

34 Years

Largest Age Group

20-29 Years

Approximately 18% of Residents

Under 20

26%

Over 65

15%

Housing Distribution

Lafayette has more renters than homeowners.

Renters
54%
Non-Renters
46%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
19%
Other Education
81%

Rent Trends

As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Lafayette, IN is $1,084 for a studio, $1,078 for one bedroom, $1,283 for two bedrooms, and $1,595 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Lafayette has increased by 3.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,078/month
719 Sq Ft
House
$1,759/month
1,270 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Lafayette, IN

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Lafayette, IN is 5.5% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Lafayette is 15.2% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,078 - $1,595. You can expect to pay 3.1% less for groceries, 5.5% less for utilities, and 1.1% more for transportation.

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Getting Around

Fairly Walkable

Walkability

50 / 100

Limited Public Transit

Transit

30 / 100

Very Drivable

Drivability

80 / 100

Fairly Bikeable

Bikeability

50 / 100

Schools

Mayflower Mill Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

600 Students

Glen Acres Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

542 Students

Edgelea Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

457 Students

James Cole Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

300 Students

Hershey Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

562 Students

East Tipp Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

509 Students

Wea Ridge Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

710 Students

Wainwright Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

311 Students

Lafayette Tecumseh Jr High School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,043 Students

Southwestern Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

496 Students

McCutcheon High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,825 Students

Jefferson High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,118 Students

The Excel Center - Lafayette

Public

Grades 9-12

322 Students

Greater Lafayette Area Se

Public

Grades K-12

269 Students

Oakland High School

Public

Grades 9-12

62 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Columbian Park Zoo
  • Imagination Station
  • Purdue University Horticulture Gardens
  • Lilly Nature Center
  • Prophetstown State Park

Military Bases

Top Apartments in Lafayette

Houses for Rent in Lafayette

Property Management Companies in Lafayette, IN

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.