Bloomington, IN vs Lafayette, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lafayette is 19.8% cheaper than Bloomington. With a cost index of 76 vs 92, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lafayette to Bloomington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bloomington is $1,160/month compared to $1,039/month in Lafayette — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lafayette is more affordable at $157,600 median vs $289,700.

Median household income in Bloomington is $48,918 compared to $52,946 in Lafayette (-7.6%). Lafayette offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bloomington spend roughly 28.5% of their income on rent, more than the 23.5% in Lafayette.