Hammond, IN vs West Lafayette, IN

Hammond is moderately more affordable than West Lafayette, with a 13.4% lower cost of living index. Hammond scores 81 compared to 93 for West Lafayette, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of West Lafayette can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hammond is $1,089/month compared to $1,152/month in West Lafayette — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hammond is more affordable at $141,700 median vs $318,100.

Median household income in Hammond is $53,950 compared to $33,497 in West Lafayette (+61.1%). Hammond offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hammond spend roughly 24.2% of their income on rent, less than the 41.3% in West Lafayette. The Hammond ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.