Cost of Living in Lafayette, IN - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $876 (excluding rent), and $2,251 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,948 (excluding rent), and $3,973 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.94 $14.94

$9.96 $9.96

$49.80 $49.80

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$60.8 $60.8

$40.54 $40.54

$101 $101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.07 $8.07

$11.61 $11.61

Cappuccino

$4.38 $4.38

$2.01 $2.01

$6.78 $6.78

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.14 $2.14

$1.47 $1.47

$4.91 $4.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 $2.07

$0.98 $0.98

$4.89 $4.89

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.09 $5.09

$3.05 $3.05

$10.18 $10.18

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.92 $6.92

$4.94 $4.94

$11.86 $11.86

Milk (1 liter)

$0.79 $0.79

$0.58 $0.58

$1.30 $1.30

White Bread (500g)

$3.18 $3.18

$1.94 $1.94

$4.89 $4.89

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.93 $3.93

$2.14 $2.14

$6.76 $6.76

Eggs

$3.09 $3.09

$1.85 $1.85

$6.94 $6.94

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.21 $10.21

$8.70 $8.70

$17.40 $17.40

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.40 $9.40

$4.34 $4.34

$17.46 $17.46

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.65 $15.65

$11.19 $11.19

$21.24 $21.24

Apples (1kg)

$4.07 $4.07

$2.86 $2.86

$8.59 $8.59

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 $1.44

$1.11 $1.11

$3.39 $3.39

Oranges (1kg)

$3.89 $3.89

$0.99 $0.99

$7.62 $7.62

Tomato (1kg)

$5.00 $5.00

$4.03 $4.03

$7.82 $7.82

Potato (1kg)

$2.09 $2.09

$1.12 $1.12

$6.73 $6.73

Onion (1kg)

$2.98 $2.98

$2.16 $2.16

$4.38 $4.38

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.27 $1.27

$1.95 $1.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.31 $1.31

$0.59 $0.59

$2.54 $2.54

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.82 $7.82

$6.84 $6.84

$9.72 $9.72

Wine (Bottle)

$13.07 $13.07

$6.04 $6.04

$20.12 $20.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$2.64 $2.64

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 $1.81

$1.50 $1.50

$6.05 $6.05

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.46 $1.46

$0.98 $0.98

$7.81 $7.81

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.72 $40.72

$30.54 $30.54

$50.9 $50.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.48 $3.48

$4.97 $4.97

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.66 $1.66

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.41 $20.41

$29.87 $29.87

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$0.69 $0.69

$0.93 $0.93

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.4K $34.4K

$23.3K $23.3K

$35.8K $35.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.7K $24.7K

$23.6K $23.6K

$41.2K $41.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$118 $118

$79.4 $79.4

$295 $295

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$55.9 $55.9

$34.44 $34.44

$148 $148

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$56.5 $56.5

$45.17 $45.17

$113 $113

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.92 $32.92

$20.26 $20.26

$45.59 $45.59

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.91 $24.91

Cinema Ticket

$10.86 $10.86

$9.38 $9.38

$15.80 $15.80

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,443 $1,443

$1,393 $1,393

$1,636 $1,636

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.7K $17.7K

$9,145 $9,145

$19.8K $19.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$40.46 $40.46

$21.46 $21.46

$54.8 $54.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.46 $40.46

$30.34 $30.34

$75.9 $75.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.1 $89.1

$65.2 $65.2

$130 $130

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.4 $88.4

$49.35 $49.35

$127 $127

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,180 $1,180

$1,010 $1,010

$1,516 $1,516

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,201 $1,201

$1,176 $1,176

$1,225 $1,225

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,018 $2,018

$1,513 $1,513

$3,026 $3,026

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,606 $1,606

$1,180 $1,180

$1,967 $1,967

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,815 $1,815

$1,701 $1,701

$1,910 $1,910

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,771 $1,771

$1,660 $1,660

$1,864 $1,864

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,230 $3,230

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

2.99

7.4

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

Lafayette, IN Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

177

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

302

Mbps

160

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Lafayette, IN - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with major coastal metros, Lafayette offers steadier prices and clear value for longer stays. Cost of Living in Lafayette, IN, United States tends to be friendlier for housing and everyday expenses, especially outside peak tourist seasons. You’ll find a range of options – from efficient one-bed apartments to larger rentals – often with a better space-to-cost ratio than bigger cities. Groceries, casual dining, and services stay reasonable, and you gain quick access to outdoors, river trails, and Purdue-related amenities without long commutes. If you work remotely, you can balance quiet neighborhoods with nearby cafés and coworking spaces. Tip: Plan a longer stay to build familiarity with the area and its local deals.

Daily life centers on practical choices. Housing options cluster around downtown Lafayette and near Purdue’s campuses in West Lafayette, ranging from studios to larger rentals. Food options span farmers markets, casual diners, and international groceries, letting you tailor meals to budgeting and taste. Transport is flexible: bike lanes, walking routes, and regular bus routes support quick trips, and many people enjoy coworking spots for reliable wifi and community. Errands are convenient in compact neighborhoods with nearby shops and pharmacies. The Lafayette living cost remains manageable if you plan meals and use transit to cut car time. Tip: build a short list of trusted local spots to reduce decision fatigue.

Quality of life here hinges on balancing essentials with personal interests. Start with a simple budgeting framework: capture recurring costs (rent, utilities, groceries) separate from flexible spends (coffee, weekend outings), and compare neighborhoods by walkability and access to services. Seasonality matters for energy use and outdoor activities – air quality and humidity in summer influence outdoor plans, while winter days push you toward libraries, heated cafés, and indoor hobbies. Neighborhood fit comes from proximity to work or study hubs, easy transit access, and a vibe that matches your pace – downtown offers bustle, while residential blocks provide quiet mornings. Tip: visit two or three districts at different times of day to find your rhythm.