Evansville, IN vs West Lafayette, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Evansville is 23.8% cheaper than West Lafayette. With a cost index of 71 vs 93, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Evansville to West Lafayette should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Evansville is $949/month compared to $1,152/month in West Lafayette — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Evansville is more affordable at $129,100 median vs $318,100.

Median household income in Evansville is $52,251 compared to $33,497 in West Lafayette (+56%). Evansville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Evansville spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, less than the 41.3% in West Lafayette. The Evansville ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.