West Lafayette is a small town of 2,622 in Ohio, with a median household income of $39,783
and a 7.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is
13% below the national average.
Strengths:
West Lafayette stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether West Lafayette is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All West Lafayette city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 86.6
West Lafayette's overall cost of living index is 86.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in West Lafayette costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.
Metric
West Lafayette, OH
National Avg
Median Home Value
$78,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$726
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
69.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$39,783
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
West Lafayette's violent crime rate is 144.8 per 100,000 residents
— 62% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
144.8 /100k
Property Crime
1000.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
West Lafayette is served primarily by Ridgewood Local.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.8:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
West Lafayette, OH
National Avg
School District
Ridgewood Local
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
11.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
84.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
West Lafayette sees average highs of 36.6°F in January
and 83.4°F in July,
with 43.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 15.3 inches of snow per year.
West Lafayette's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average.
That makes West Lafayette roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $78,800 and median rent is $726/month.
West Lafayette's violent crime rate is 144.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1000.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in West Lafayette are operated by Ridgewood Local.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.8:1. 11.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
West Lafayette, OH has a population of 2,622, a median household income of $39,783, and an unemployment rate of 7.2%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
West Lafayette averages 36.6°F in January and 83.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 43.6 inches
with about 15.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
West Lafayette, OH is covered by 1 ZIP code: 43845.
The population of West Lafayette, Ohio is 2,622 with a median age of 34.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in West Lafayette: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $78,800, median household income $39,783, crime index 42 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare West Lafayette side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
