Lafayette, IN vs Portage, IN

Lafayette is moderately more affordable than Portage, with a 12.8% lower cost of living index. Lafayette scores 76 compared to 88 for Portage, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Portage can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Lafayette is $1,039/month compared to $1,138/month in Portage — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lafayette is more affordable at $157,600 median vs $210,800.

Median household income in Lafayette is $52,946 compared to $72,833 in Portage (-27.3%). While Portage is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Lafayette spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Portage.