Frankfort, IN vs West Lafayette, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Frankfort is 25.8% cheaper than West Lafayette. With a cost index of 69 vs 93, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Frankfort to West Lafayette should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Frankfort is $888/month compared to $1,152/month in West Lafayette — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Frankfort is more affordable at $122,800 median vs $318,100.

Median household income in Frankfort is $53,522 compared to $33,497 in West Lafayette (+59.8%). Frankfort offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Frankfort spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, less than the 41.3% in West Lafayette. The Frankfort ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.