Gary, IN vs West Lafayette, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Gary is 22.1% cheaper than West Lafayette. With a cost index of 72 vs 93, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Gary to West Lafayette should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gary is $975/month compared to $1,152/month in West Lafayette — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gary is more affordable at $85,300 median vs $318,100.

Median household income in Gary is $37,380 compared to $33,497 in West Lafayette (+11.6%). Gary offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gary spend roughly 31.3% of their income on rent, less than the 41.3% in West Lafayette. The Gary ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.