Whitewater, WI vs Lafayette, IN

Whitewater, WI and Lafayette, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.7% difference in their overall index. Whitewater scores 79 while Lafayette scores 76 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Whitewater is $985/month compared to $1,039/month in Lafayette — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Whitewater has cheaper rent, Lafayette actually has lower median home values ($157,600 vs $211,800).

Median household income in Whitewater is $49,000 compared to $52,946 in Lafayette (-7.5%). Lafayette offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Whitewater spend roughly 24.1% of their income on rent, more than the 23.5% in Lafayette.