Lafayette 74 Excellent
Lafayette Livability #68 ranked city in Indiana#4,374 ranked city in the USARanks better than 85% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Lafayette

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Crime Crime

    High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.

What's it like Living in Lafayette?

Lafayette is a mid-sized city located in the state of Indiana. The city has a population of 75,191 residents. According to the most recent Census, 82% of Lafayette residents are White, 9% Black and 2% Asian. The median age of all Lafayette residents is 33, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Lafayette, only 47% of the population is married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Lafayette offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Lafayette is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in Indiana, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. The best areas in Lafayette and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, health & safety, education, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Indiana and national averages.

Lafayette, IN receives 75 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #54 in Indiana and #3,724 in the USA. Based on this score, Lafayette would be considered a very livable city! If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Lafayette ranks well for housing (A+). Lafayette does not do well for the following: crime (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Lafayette excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Lafayette real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Lafayette. Median real estate prices in Lafayette come in at $212,046, which is 6.6% lower than the Indiana average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Lafayette, the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 0% lower than the Indiana average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Lafayette

See all the best places to live around Lafayette

How Do You Rate The Livability In Lafayette?

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Compare Lafayette, IN Livability

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      Lafayette transportation information

      Statistic Lafayette Indiana National
      Average one way commute18min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.6%83.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.2%8.9%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%2.1%2.8%
      Working from home4.1%3.5%4.6%
      Source: The Lafayette, IN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.