Lebanon, IN vs West Lafayette, IN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lebanon is 19.3% cheaper than West Lafayette. With a cost index of 75 vs 93, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lebanon to West Lafayette should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lebanon is $900/month compared to $1,152/month in West Lafayette — a 22% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lebanon is more affordable at $179,200 median vs $318,100.

Median household income in Lebanon is $63,773 compared to $33,497 in West Lafayette (+90.4%). Lebanon offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lebanon spend roughly 16.9% of their income on rent, less than the 41.3% in West Lafayette. The Lebanon ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.